EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: PD1H11.01, 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 3). Patient 3's confidential information was mailed to a physician who was not Patient 3's ordering/primary care physician. This resulted in the unauthorized disclosure of Patient 3's protected health information (PHI).Findings:On February 8, 2013, at 11:30 a.m., an interview was conducted with the Director of Compliance (DC). She stated: a. On December 19, 2012, Patient 3 had a bone density study performed at the facility. b. On January 24, 2013, Patient 3 contacted the facility concerned her ordering physician had not received the results from her bone density study completed on December 19, 2012.c. When Patient 3 was registered for her appointment, the Patient Intake Specialist selected the incorrect physician as the ordering physician, and the incorrect physician was mailed Patient 3's results from her bone density study. Both physicians had the same last name.d. The incorrect physician's office personnel were contacted and were requested to destroy the documents received regarding Patient 3 and her bone density study results.The incorrect physician received and had an opportunity to view Patient 3's PHI, which included name, gender, date of birth, medical record number, account number, and the bone density study results.Patient 3 was informed of the disclosure of her protected health information (PHI) via a letter dated and mailed on January 31, 2013, to her last known address.The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) was notified via a facsimile dated January 31, 2013, of the unauthorized access of Patient 3's PHI.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

Related Reports:

2 other violations reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: 49H611.01, 5B2V11.01