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 October 9, 2013. Also cited in 90 other reports.
Report ID: FG4S11.02, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: SANTA CLARA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and document review, the hospital failed to follow their policy and procedure regarding "Prescription Pick Up" for one of two sampled patients (1) resulting in unauthorized access of confidential patient information. Findings:On 1/11/13, the California Department of Public Health received a faxed report from the hospital compliance officer indicating Patient 1's medications were accidentally given to Patient 2.During an interview on 10/9/13 at 9:30 a.m., in the presence of the privacy officer and the risk manager, the director of pharmacy (DOP) said Patient 1 came into the hospital on 1/4/13 to pick up two medications: Abilify (to treat schizophrenia or bipolar disorder) and Fluoxetine (for depression). The Pharmacy record showed Patient 1's medications had already been picked up on 12/27/12. He said the hospital investigation revealed Patient 1's medications were accidentally given to Patient 2 on 12/27/12. The DOP said the pharmacy technician (PT) who assisted Patient 2 failed to follow the hospital's policy by failing to use two patient identifiers (IDs) for correct patient identification at the time of prescription pick-up. During an interview on 10/18/13 at 2 p.m., the PT said the pharmacy was busy at the time, and she failed to ask for two patient IDs before dispensing the medications to Patient 2.The information disclosed included patient name, physician's name, drug name, drug dosage and direction for use, and prescription number.The hospital's policy and procedures entitled "Prescription Pick Up/Pharmacy Beneficiary Signature and Relationship Requirement Log," dated 3/12, indicated the following:"Staff will use at least two of the three patient identifiers... to compare for accuracy to the same identifiers as found in the: a. Medical Record (MR) number b. Patient Name c. Date of birthThe above identifiers presented by the patient could be obtained from the following sources: - SCVMC Medical Record card - Patient I.D. wristband - Driver's license"
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Pharmaceutical Service General Requirements