EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: 7U6R11.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Issue:

Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure the protected health information (PHI) of Patient A remained confidential. This failure led to the disclosure of Patient A's PHI to an unauthorized individual, Patient B.Findings:An interview was conducted with the facility's Legal Council, Staff 1, on February 11, 2014, at 10:50 a.m. Staff 1 stated Patient B was discharged from one of the facility's clinics, went to a local pharmacy to fill her prescriptions and discovered she had Patient A's medication list, PHI.A review of Patient A's PHI which was disclosed to Patient B was conducted. Patient A's PHI reflected the patient's name, date of birth, and a list of medication prescribed for Patient A.A review of the facility's policy, "HIPPA (health insurance portability and accountability act): Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information (Last Reviewed/Revised 11/18/2011)," was conducted. The policy indicated, "The confidentiality of Protected Health Information contained in records and collected pursuant to treatment will be protected to the fullest extent possible. To maintain this confidentiality (facility) staff may not disseminate PHI unless it is pursuant to a valid request, a valid authorization or a legally recognized exception to this requirement."

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: B5KQ11.01