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.
SANTA CLARA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
Cited by the California Department of Public Health for violations of California’s Health and Safety Code relating to medical privacy during an inspection that began on September 10, 2014. Also cited in 90 other reports.
Report ID: Z2I411.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: SANTA CLARA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the hospital failed to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of patient health information (PHI) for one of two sampled patients (1), when Patient 2 took Patient 1's medication from the pharmacy. The failure resulted in the disclosure of Patient 1's PHI to an unauthorized individual. Findings:The California Department of Public Health received a faxed report on 10/15/13, which indicated, on 9/28/13, Patient 2 went into the pharmacy to pick up his prescription medication and was inadvertently given Patient 1's medication bottle. The pharmacy staff realized the error on 9/28/13 and called Patient 2. During an interview on 9/10/14 at 1:55 p.m., the privacy officer (PO) stated, on 9/28/13, Patient 2 went to the pharmacy to pick up his prescription medication, but was inadvertently given Patient 1's medication bottle, which disclosed Patient 1's name, medication, and medication instructions. PO stated the pharmacy staff realized the medication error on 9/28/13 when Patient 1 went to the pharmacy to get her medication and the pharmacy staff realized her medication was already dispensed.During an interview on 9/10/14 at 2:10 p.m., a pharmacy technician (PT) stated, on 9/28/13, Patient 2 came to the pharmacy to pick up his medications. One of his medications needed to be generic, but it was a brand name. PT stated she was working on changing it to generic and Patient 2 was trying to hurry her. PT stated while waiting for Patient 2's generic medication to be ready, PT helped the next patient (Patient 1). PT stated while she was still helping Patient 1, Patient 2's generic medication was ready, so PT asked Patient 1 if she could finish helping Patient 2. PT stated Patient 2 was in a hurry and he grabbed the medication bottles off the counter including Patient 1's medication bottle. PT stated she did not notice Patient 2 had inadvertently grabbed Patient 1's medication bottle until it was too late and Patient 2 had left the pharmacy. A review of a copy of a letter dated 10/15/13, from the hospital to Patient 1, indicated on 9/28/13 pharmacy staff realized they had inadvertently given Patient 1's medication bottle to Patient 2. The label on the medication bottle disclosed Patient 1's name, medical record number, account number, gender and type of medication.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280