EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: 2ED111.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Issue:

Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure Protected Health Information (PHI) was not released to a person or persons not authorized to receive it when the PHI for one patient (Patient B) was printed on admission documents given to another patient (Patient A). This failed practice resulted in the potential for physical, emotional, or financial harm to Patient B.Findings:During an interview with the facility Legal Assistant on July 23, 2013, at 2 p.m., the Assistant stated on May 29, 2013, an admitting clerk created an account using Patient B's name. The "Conditions of Admission," patient arm band, Medicare Message and "Patient Valuables Waiver," with Patient B's name, date of birth, facility medical record number and facility account number, were disclosed to Patient A. The facility "Patient Information Form," was reviewed on July 23, 2013. Information on the form included Patient B's name, date of birth, medical record number, facility account number, and additional demographic information. The facility policy titled, "HIPAA - Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information," with a last reviewed date of November 18, 2011, was reviewed on July 23, 2013. 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 a need to know... PHI...Individually identified health information transmitted or maintained in any form, or medium, including oral, written and electronic...relates to an individual's health status or condition...Information is considered PHI where there is a reasonable basis to believe the information can be used to identify an individual."The facility policy titled, "Patient Identification Policy and Procedure," with a last reviewed date of January 3, 2011, was reviewed on July 23, 2013. The policy indicated..."Patient identification ...must be performed utilizing at least two of the following identifiers prior to any examination, provision of services, communication, treatment or procedure...Patient first and last name...date of birth..."

Outcome:

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

Related Reports:

10 other violations reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: 8G5S11.01, 9YWG11.01, BZS911.01, HJXM11.01, IDWZ11.01, IHRI11.01, ND7111.01, QBNY11.01, SO0211.01, U4IJ11.01