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 a violation of California’s Health and Safety Code relating to medical privacy during an inspection that began on August 13, 2014. Also cited in 90 other reports.
Report ID: JWNQ11, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: SANTA CLARA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the hospital failed to protect the patient's right for confidential medical care for two of five sampled patients (2, 4) when Patient 1's breast milk container was incorrectly labeled with Patient 2's information and when Patient 3's breast milk container was labeled with Patient 4's information. This failure resulted in the disclosure of confidential information for Patients 2 and 4. Findings:1. On 1/14/14, the California Department of Public Health received a faxed report from the hospital which indicated Patient 1's mother brought in two containers of breast milk labeled with Patient 2's information.During an interview on 8/13/14 at 12:30 p.m., the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) manager (NM) stated on 1/8/14 Patient 1's mother brought breast milk into the hospital to feed Patient 1, a patient in the NICU. Patient 1's mother gave the containers to nursing staff for storage. At that time staff realized the containers were labeled with Patient 2's information. The NM stated the information disclosed on the label included Patient 2's name, date of birth and medical record number. The NM stated the process was to use two identifiers such as name and date of birth when labeling breast milk containers. 2. On 12/23/13, the California Department of Public Health received a faxed report which indicated Patient 3 was administered Patient 4's breast milk. During an interview on 8/13/14 at 12:50 p.m., the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) manager (PM) stated on 12/21/13 Patient 3 received Patient 4's breast milk. The PM stated Patient 3's mother noticed the container of breast milk with which she was feeding her baby was labeled with Patient 4's information. The PM stated the label on the breast milk containers was not verified by staff prior to giving the milk container to Patient 3's mother.The PM stated the information disclosed on the label included Patient 4's name, date of birth and medical record number.During an interview on 8/19/14 at 12:40 p.m., licensed nurse A (LN A) stated she did not follow the policy for checking the two identifiers before giving the milk container to Patient 3's mother. This resulted in disclosure of Patient 4's protected information. Record review on 8/19/14 at 2:20 p.m. of the hospital policy, "Patient Identification," dated 7/11/13 indicated: "All employees must verify the identity of the patient prior to the administration of...breast milk... For patient identification and verification, the employee will ask the patient to state at least 2 of the 3 acceptable patient identifiers: patient name,medical record number, or date of birth."
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights