Search Privacy Violations, Breaches and Complaints
This database was last updated in December 2015 ago and should only be used as a historical snapshot. More recent data on breaches affecting 500 or more people is available at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Breach Portal.
EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER
Cited by the California Department of Public Health for a violation of California’s Health and Safety Code relating to medical privacy during an inspection that began on June 17, 2015. Also cited in 279 other reports.
Report ID: 7LCZ11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure all patient protected health information (PHI) was kept protected, which resulted in the unauthorized access of the patient's confidential information (Patient 5). Patient 5's confidential information was given to Patient 6, when Patient 6 was discharged from the facility Emergency Department (ED), on June 9, 2015. This resulted in the unauthorized disclosure of Patient 5's protected health information (PHI).Findings:On June 17, 2015, at 2:30 p.m., an interview was conducted with the Deputy Information Privacy Officer (DIPO). She stated: a. On June 9, 2015, Patient 6 was seen at a facility ED, and left the facility ED with discharge instructions which included a prescriptionb. On June 9, 2015, Patient 6 returned to the facility ED, gave the ED employee the prescription belonging to Patient 5, and was given the correct prescription.c. The ED Registered Nurse (RN) had not followed the facility policy and procedure of "highlighting" all sheets of the discharge paperwork for correct patient verification before giving the prescription belonging to Patient 5 to Patient 6, on June 9, 2015.Patient 6 had an opportunity to view Patient 5's PHI, which included name, address, physician's name, date of service, and prescription for Nexium (medication used to treat heartburn).Patient 5 was informed of the disclosure of her protected health information (PHI) via a letter dated and mailed on June 17, 2015, to her last known address.The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) was notified via a facsimile received on June 17, 2015, and a letter dated and mailed on June 17, 2015, of the unauthorized access of Patient 5's PHI.The facility policy and procedure titled "Aftercare Instructions to Patients" reviewed/revised January 20, 2014, revealed "... Documentation of discharge instructions will be in the Nurses' Notes indicating: ... All sheets of the discharge paperwork will be highlighted for correct patient verification. ..."The facility policy and procedure titled "Information Privacy" reviewed/revised April 2, 2015, revealed, "... (facility name) will take all necessary steps to avoid unauthorized or unlawful access, use or disclosure of protected health information ... Whenever possible, The Information Privacy Officer will contact the individual or organization to whom the information was inappropriately or unlawfully accessed, used or released and request that no further access, use or disclosure of the information is made and to return or destroy the information. The Information Privacy Officer will contact the Department of Public Health and report the breach within (15) fifteen business days of discovery. The Information Privacy Officer will contact the patient within (15) fifteen business days of discovery to inform him or her of the unauthorized access, use or disclosure and the plan or step's taken to mitigate it. ..."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280