Stolen Patient Information on Hospital Computer Not Considered “Medical Information” by California Appellate Court

The California Court of Appeal recently held that the release of an index identifying hospital patients did not constitute the release of medical information under California’s Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA), Civ. Code, § 56 et seq., because the index contained only demographic information and nothing “regarding a patient’s medical history, mental or physical condition, or treatment.”Eisenhower Medical Center v. Superior Court (Malanche), Case No. E058378 (Cal. Ct. App. May 21, 2014). The Court held that “a health care provider cannot be held liable under the relevant portions of the CMIA for the release of an individual’s personal identifying information that is not coupled with that individual’s medical history, mental or physical condition, or treatment.” CONTINUE READING ...