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: FN0S11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: EISENHOWER MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure Patient A's Protected Health Information (PHI) was not sent to an unauthorized recipient. This had the potential to result in misuse of Patient A's private information. Findings:On October 31, 2012, the facility notified the California Department of Public Health that information about Patient A's recent hospitalization was inadvertently sent to a facility not involved in the patient's care. The discharge documents contained Patient A's name, medical record and financial number, as well as the patient's date of service and diagnosis On November 8, 2012, at 10:15 a.m., an unannounced visit was made to the facility to investigate a reported PHI breach.On November 8, 2012, at 11:15 a.m., the Compliance Specialist was interviewed. The Compliance Specialist stated the facility was notified on October 23, 2012, by a local skilled nursing facility, they had received three pages of Patient A's discharge information. The skilled nursing facility indicated the documents were in an envelope with Patient B's information. (Patient B was being transferred from the facility to the skilled nursing facility). 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." A policy titled "Access of Individuals to Protected Health Information," with a last reviewed/revised date of September 12, 2011, indicated "Department staff members responsible for preparing health records for their department must verify the documents being sent are for the correct patient before releasing..."The facility failed to ensure Patient A's Protected Health Information was not disclosed to any entity not authorized to receive the information.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280