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 May 21, 2012. Also cited in 90 other reports.
Report ID: XJ2U11.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: SANTA CLARA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on documentation and interview, hospital staff failed to implement a patient's right to confidential treatment of their stay in the hospital.Findings:On 5/21/12 a hospital privacy investigation report was reviewed regarding an outpatient of the hospital receiving another patient's medication. According to the report, the wife of Patient A went to the hospital outpatient pharmacy on 3/18/12 to pick up Patient A's medications (written authorization was given). The pharmacy technician, who dispensed the medication, failed to follow hospital policy and inadvertently gave the spouse of Patient A another patient's medication (Patient B). The error was noted the same day when the spouse returned to the pharmacy with Patient B's medication. The hospital policy requires that patient medications are scanned prior to dispensing to ensure the correct medication is given to the right patient.The medication container received by Patient A had Patient B's name, medication, dosage and physician's name.According to the hospital privacy officer, who was interviewed on 5/21/12, the pharmacy technician failed to use the pharmacy scanner to ensure the correct medication was given to the right patient.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights