EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: 78UZ11.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Issue:

Based on interview and document review, the facility failed for one patient (Patient A), to ensure that (PHI) Protected Health Information was not disclosed to any entity not authorized to receive the information. This failed practice resulted in unauthorized access to Patient A's demographic information and medical records.Findings:On September 10, 2012, a visit was made to the facility to investigate a breach of PHI.An interview was conducted with the Compliance Officer on September 10, 2012, at 1:15 p.m. The Compliance Officer stated on June 5, 2012, it was discovered that PHI was given to an entity not authorized to receive the information. The Compliance Officer stated lab results were faxed without verifying the patient's identity. Patient A's lab results were sent to Patient B. Both Patient A and B had similar names. The compliance officer stated the lab technician did not use the date of birth to verify the correct patient to ensure the lab results were faxed to the correct patient.The facility's policy and procedure titled, "HIPPA - Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information," was reviewed. The policy indicated it was the policy of the facility that the confidentiality of Protected Health Information contained in records and collected pursuant will be protected to the fullest extent and to protect the patient's right to privacy, at no time will names or information be shared with any person who does not have a 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:

16 other violations reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: 0B0011.01, 0RFI11.01, 5RJU11.01, 6Y8Z11.01, 8W3U11.01, BJKK11.01, FOJX11.01, HQLM11.01, IBVX11.01, M5TE11.01, OVIN11.01, Q1SN11.01, TOBU11.01, WHRC11.01, WHRC11.02, XRSE11.01