Search Privacy Violations, Breaches and Complaints
This database was last updated in December 2015 ago and should only be used as a historical snapshot. More recent data on breaches affecting 500 or more people is available at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Breach Portal.
EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER
Cited by the California Department of Public Health for a violation of California’s Health and Safety Code relating to medical privacy during an inspection that began on February 6, 2014. Also cited in 279 other reports.
Report ID: 087T11.01, 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, when Patient A's consultation report was faxed to the wrong provider. This failure resulted in an unauthorized entity having access to Patient A's PHI and the potential for misuse of the information. Findings:On September 27, 2013, the facility notified the California Department of Public Health, that a consultation report containing Patient A's name, date of birth, social security number and medical information was inadvertently faxed to the wrong insurance carrier. During an interview with the facility Information Privacy Officer (IPO) on February 6, 2014, at 9:15 a.m., the IPO stated Patient A's consultation report was inadvertently sent to the wrong insurance carrier. The IPO stated the carrier notified the facility and returned the document to the facility on September 20, 2013. The IPO stated the document included Patient A's PHI.A copy of the consultation report was reviewed. The document contained Patient A's name, date of birth, social security number, facility medical record number, and medical information. The facility policy and procedure titled "HIPAA- 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 policy defines PHI as individually identifiable information. The policy 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