SANTA CLARA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: 8CY211.01, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: SANTA CLARA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER

Issue:

Based on documentation and interview, nursing staff failed to implement a patient's (Patient 1) right to privacy by failing to protect patient information from unauthorized use.Findings:On 2/7/12 a hospital investigation report was reviewed regarding an incident where patient information was accessed via computer regarding her stay in the hospital. According to the investigative report and interview with the hospital privacy officer, a former employee (Patient 1) was admitted to the hospital's emergency psychiatric service (EPS) on 12/2/11. In order to protect her privacy from staff who may have known the patient, measures were taken to change her name and limit the staff assigned to her care. In addition, she was placed in an area of the unit that was secure and away from the general population. On 12/5/11 the compliance privacy officer was informed that Staff A, who was not assigned to care for Patient 1, had accessed the emergency log to retrieve more information regarding Patient 1's admission. He then informed other staff, not assigned to the patient, who also accessed the log. The log contained the patient's real name, date and time of admission, medical record number, legal status and disposition of the patient. The privacy officer stated Staff A did not have authorization or need to retrieve Patient 1's hospital information. The hospital's failure to protect patient health information violates a patient's right to privacy regarding their stay in the facility.

Outcome:

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

Related Reports:

2 other violations reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: 5WIX11.01, DYZU11.01