SANTA CLARA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: CO5611.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: SANTA CLARA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER

Issue:

Based on interview and record review the hospital failed to provide confidential medical treatment for one of one sampled patient (1). Findings:On 10/25/12 at 11 a.m., during an entity reported incident investigation, the Privacy Officer stated, on 8/1/12, a clinic employee (Staff A) had inadvertently given Patient 1's prescription to Patient 2. Patient 2 went to her pharmacy and the incorrect prescription was filled and dispensed. Upon investigation the hospital identified that both patients had the same last name and had prescriptions ready for pick up at the clinic.On 10/25/12 at 2:15 p.m. during a telephone interview with Staff A, she stated the clinic was short staffed and she was very busy on the above incident day. Staff A further stated when Patient 2 came to pick up her prescription she identified herself by her last name only. Staff A stated she went to the prescription box and picked up the envelope labeled with a last name only. Since the last name on the envelope matched Patient 2's last name, Staff A stated she handed the envelope to Patient 2. Later that day when Patient 1 came to pick up her prescription, the clinic identified Patient 2 had received the prescription for Patient 1. Staff A confirmed she did not do the two patient identifier as expected per hospital policy and therefore gave the wrong prescription to the wrong patient. Patient 1's name, date of birth, medical record number, and prescription name was disclosed to Patient 2.

Outcome:

Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights

Related Reports:

1 other violation reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: FWRC11.01