EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: G98611.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Issue:

Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to prevent unauthorized disclosure of protected health information (PHI) for one patient (Patient 1) when a laboratory employee faxed laboratory results for Patient 1 to an unintended recipient. This failed practice resulted in the potential for emotional, and financial harm to Patient 1.Findings:During an interview with the facility Privacy Officer (PO) on June 24, 2014, at 3:10 p.m., the PO stated on June 16 and 17, 2014, a laboratory employee intended to fax laboratory reports for Patient 1 to a home health agency, but instead faxed them twice to another hospital laboratory. The PO stated the employee was using the hospital computer system with pre-programmed numbers assigned to each facility. The PO stated the employee chose the incorrect destination for the reports to be sent to. A review of the laboratory reports that were faxed to the unintended laboratory were reviewed on June 24, 2014. The reports included the following PHI:1. Name (first, middle, and last);2. Date of birth;3. Age;4. Medical record number;5. Account number:6. Physician's name;7. Blood counts with some abnormalities; and,8. Blood chemistries with some abnormalities. Failure of the employee to verify the intended destination of the laboratory reports resulted in disclosure of medical information belonging to Patient 1 to persons not authorized to receive it.

Outcome:

Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280

Related Reports:

1 other violation reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: 4KJX11.01