EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: GPO911.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Issue:

Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to prevent the unauthorized access and/or disclosure of Patient A's medical/private information.This failure had the potential to result in the misuse of Patient A's medical/private information.Findings:On December 5, 2013, at 9:10 a.m., a phone interview was conducted with the CS (Compliance Specialist) for the purpose of the investigation of an entity reported incident. The CS stated on December 3, 2013, the facility was informed an X-ray of Patient A was shown to Patient B's mother during the course of treatment of Patient B. The CS stated the physician treating Patient B showed Patient A's X-ray to Patient B's mother as a form of comparison. The CS stated Patient A's identifying information (name...) was seen by Patient B's mother.The CS stated the physician should have eliminated Patient A's private/medical information before showing Patient A's X-ray to Patient B's mother.The facility policy and procedure titled "HIPPA- Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information undated, indicated "It is the policy of ...(facility's name) that the confidentiality of Protected Health information in records and collected...will be protected to the fullest extent possible."The facility indicated, "To protect the patient's right to privacy and confidentiality, at no time will names or information be shared with any person who does not have the need to know in order to provide patient care."

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: FXKN11.01