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 November 8, 2012. Also cited in 279 other reports.
Report ID: QB3N11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure the PHI (protected health information) of Patient A remained confidential. This failure resulted in the unauthorized disclosure of Patient A's name, date of birth, facility account and medical record numbers to the incorrect health facility.Findings:On October 31, 2012, the facility reported to the California Department of Public Health, lab results for Patient A were delivered to an incorrect health provider. The document contained Patient A's name, date of birth, facility account and medical record numbers. On November 8, 2012, at 10:15 a.m., an unannounced visit was made to the facility to investigate an entity reported breach of Patient A's privacy. In an interview with the Compliance Specialist (CS) on November 8, 2012, at 11:25 a.m., the CS stated an item being delivered by the couriers was delivered to the wrong address. The CS stated the item, intended for Physician A, contained a non existent address, but was delivered by the courier to a nearby dialysis center. The dialysis center notified the facility on October 24, 2012, about the delivery of the document. On November 8, 2012, a copy of the document sent to Physician A and delivered to the dialysis center, was reviewed. The document contained Patient A's name, date of birth, financial and medical record numbers, as well as lab results for blood test collected on October 22, 2012. On November 8, 2012, the facility's policy and procedure titled "HIPAA-Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information," with a last reviewed/revised date of November 18, 2011, was reviewed. 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 in order to provide care." The policy defines PHI as "individually identifiable health information 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."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280