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 October 8, 2014. Also cited in 279 other reports.
Report ID: YG4Q11.01, 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, for a scheduled surgery, was mailed to Patient 6 on September 28, 2014. This resulted in the unauthorized disclosure of Patient 5's protected health information (PHI).Findings:On October 10, 2014, at 8:30 a.m., an interview was conducted with the Information Privacy Officer (IPO). He stated: a. On September 29, 2014, Patient 6 informed the facility he was in receipt, via US mail, of Patient 5's "Appointment Schedule for Surgery" letter.b. Patient 6 was a facility patient and a facility employee, and he had destroyed the document belonging to Patient 5.c. When the employee, who sends out the surgery schedule reminder letters, was asked how this had occurred, she stated she had been in a "hurry" and placed the letter belonging to Patient 5 in an envelope addressed to Patient 6.d. Patient 5 did not receive an "Appointment Schedule for Surgery" letter.Patient 6 received and viewed Patient 5's PHI, which included name, date of surgery, type of surgery,physicians' names, and date of post operative visit.Patient 5 was informed of the disclosure of his protected health information (PHI) via a letter dated and mailed on October 6, 2014, to his last known address.The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) was notified via a facsimile received on October 6, 2014, and a letter dated and mailed on October 6, 2014, of the unauthorized access of Patient 5's PHI. The facility policy and procedure titled, "Information Privacy" reviewed/revised January 2, 2014, 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