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 April 4, 2014. Also cited in 90 other reports.
Report ID: T24011.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: SANTA CLARA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the hospital failed to prevent unauthorized disclosure of patients' medical information when Patient 1's clinical information was stolen from his physician's car.Findings:The Department received an entity reported incident from the facility on 2/14/13 which indicated on 2/8/13, the car of Patient 1's physician was broken into. Among the stolen items was an envelope that contained Patient 1's clinical information including medical record number, medications, blood pressure and blood sugar readings.During an interview with the facility's Ethics and Compliance Officer (ECO) on 4/4/14 at 11:15 a.m., she stated the car of Patient 1's physician was broken into on 2/8/13. Patient 1's physician informed the ECO on 2/11/13 about the incident. Among the stolen items was an envelope that contained Patient 1's clinical information including the patient's medical record number, medications, blood pressure and blood sugar readings.Patient 1's physician was interviewed on 4/16/14 at 3:10 p.m. He confirmed his car was broken into on 2/8/13. Patient 1's physician stated disclosed medical information for Patient 1 included the patient's medical record number, names of medications, blood pressure and blood sugar readings.Review of a copy of the information stolen from Patient 1's physician car, indicated the following medical information was disclosed; Patient 1's name, medical record number, names of medications, blood pressure and blood sugar readings. Review of the facility's letter addressed to Patient 1 dated 2/14/13 revealed Patient 1's medical information was accidentally disclosed when his physician's car was broken into on 2/8/13 and among the stolen items were Patient 1's clinical information including medical record number, medications, blood pressure and blood sugar readings.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280