EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: XRSE11.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Issue:

Based on interview and document review, the facility failed for one patient (Patient A), to ensure that (PHI) Protected Health Information was not disclosed to any entity not authorized to receive the information. This failed practice resulted in unauthorized access to Patient A's demographic information and medical records.Findings:On September 10, 2012, a visit was made to the facility to investigate a breach of PHI.An interview was conducted with the Compliance Officer on September 10, 2012, at 2 p.m. The Compliance Officer stated on April 5, 2012, EMC staff discovered Protected Health Information was given to entity not authorized to receive the information. The Compliance Officer stated the admitting clerk registered Patient B under the wrong name. Patient B was seen and treated in the ED. Patient B, with a substantially similar name was erroneously registered under Patient A's name. As a result, the clerk generated a Patient Information Form (face sheet), Condition of Admissions form, Discharge Instructions, ER medical records and Patient Valuables Waiver form that collectively contained the wrong patient ' s name, age, date of birth, address, phone number, insurance information, EMC medical and account number. The compliance officer stated, the clerk should have verified with date of birth to ensure she had registered the correct patient. The facility's policy and procedure titled, "Patient Identification Policy and Procedure," was reviewed. The policy's purpose indicated, "To accurately identify the individual as the person for whom the service or treatment is intended and to match the service or treatment to that individual...Patient registration is responsible for creating the identification bracelet appropriately...Patient registration or designated person specific to area within the organization, will verify the accuracy of the information...Patient identification must be performed utilizing at least two of the following patient identifiers prior to any examination, provision of services, communication, treatment or procedure...patient first and last name...patient date of birth utilizing active verbal confirmation ... "

Outcome:

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

Related Reports:

16 other violations reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: 0B0011.01, 0RFI11.01, 5RJU11.01, 6Y8Z11.01, 78UZ11.01, 8W3U11.01, BJKK11.01, FOJX11.01, HQLM11.01, IBVX11.01, M5TE11.01, OVIN11.01, Q1SN11.01, TOBU11.01, WHRC11.01, WHRC11.02