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 May 7, 2014. Also cited in 279 other reports.
Report ID: 19C711.01, 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 access of the patient's confidential information (Patient 5). Patient 5's confidential information was given to Patient 6 when Patient 6 was given a requisition for a laboratory test on April 24, 2014. This resulted in the unauthorized disclosure of Patient 5's protected health information (PHI).Findings:On May 7, 2014, at 9:31 a.m., an interview was conducted with the Information Privacy Officer (IPO). He stated: a. On April 24, 2014, Patient 6 was seen at a facility clinic and was handed a requisition for a laboratory test by the physician.b. On April 28, 2014, Patient 6 called the facility clinic and stated she was in receipt of Patient 5's requisition for a laboratory test.c. On April 28, 2014, Patient 6 returned the laboratory test requisition belonging to Patient 5 to the facility clinic and obtained a laboratory test requisition with her demographic information.d. The physician had not used two identifiers when the physician gave the requisition for a laboratory test to Patient 6.Patient 6 received and had an opportunity to view Patient 5's PHI, which included name, date of birth, medical record number, account number, gender, address, telephone number, insurance policy information to include policy numbers, and diagnosis with test ordered.Patient 5 was informed of the disclosure of her protected health information (PHI) via a letter dated and mailed on May 5, 2014, to her last known address.The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) was notified via a facsimile received on May 5, 2014, and a letter dated and mailed on May 5, 2014, of the unauthorized access of Patient 5's PHI.The facility policy and procedure titled "Patient Identification Policy and Procedure" reviewed/revised January 3, 2011, revealed "... Patient identification at (name of facility) 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 name and last name ... Patient birth date utilizing active verbal confirmation when possible. Medical record number, when patient is not able to communicate. ..."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