EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: 5B2V11.01, 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 disclosure/access of the patient's confidential information (Patient 5). Patient 5's confidential information was electronically mailed to a private individual. This resulted in the unauthorized disclosure of Patient 5's protected health information (PHI).Findings:On February 8, 2013, at 11:30 a.m., an interview was conducted with the Director of Compliance (DC). She stated: a. On January 30, 2013, a medical assistant at a facility clinic electronically mailed a facsimile cover sheet containing Patient 5's protected health information to a private individual. b. On January 30, 2013, the medical assistant reviewed the documents she had electronically mailed to the private individual and discovered the facsimile cover sheet for Patient 5 with the documents electronically sent to the private individual.c. On January 30, 2013, the private individual was contacted by the medical assistant and agreed to shred the document containing Patient 5's PHI.The private individual received and had an opportunity to view Patient 5's PHI, which included name,date of birth, and the information that Patient 5's laboratory results were inconclusive and it would be prudent for the physician to investigate the patient's urological needs.Patient 5 was informed of the disclosure of his protected health information (PHI) via a letter dated and mailed on February 5, 2013, to his last known address.The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) was notified via a facsimile dated February 5, 2013, of the unauthorized access of Patient 5's PHI.The facility policy and procedure titled "Information Privacy" reviewed/revised December 19, 2011, 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 requested 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 (5) five days of discovery. The Information Privacy Officer will contact the patient within (5) five days of discovery to inform him or her of the unauthorized access, use of 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

Related Reports:

2 other violations reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: 49H611.01, PD1H11.01