SANTA CLARA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER

Report ID: Z2I411.02, California Department of Public Health

Reported Entity: SANTA CLARA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER

Issue:

Based on interview and record review, the hospital failed to notify the California Department of Public Health of an unauthorized disclosure of patient health information (PHI) within five days for one of two sampled patients (1). Patient 1's PHI was inadvertently disclosed to another patient on 9/28/13. The hospital detected the breach of PHI on 9/28/13 and reported the breach of PHI to the Department on 10/15/13. The failure resulted in non-compliance of the California Health and Safety Code, 1280.15(b)(1). Findings:The California Department of Public Health received a faxed report on 10/15/13, which indicated Patient 2 went into the pharmacy to pick up his prescription medication and was inadvertently given Patient 1's medication bottle. The pharmacy staff realized the error on 9/28/13. During an interview on 9/10/14 at 1:55 p.m., the privacy officer (PO) stated on 9/28/13, Patient 2 went to the pharmacy to pick up his prescription medication, but was inadvertently given Patient 1's medication bottle, which disclosed Patient 1's name, medication, and medication instructions. PO stated the pharmacy staff realized the medication error on 9/28/13 when Patient 1 went to the pharmacy to get her medication and the pharmacy staff realized her medication was already dispensed.During an interview on 9/16/14 at 1:45 p.m., the ethics and compliance officer (ECO) stated the hospital sent the notification fax to the Department on 10/15/13.

Outcome:

Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Health & Safety Code 1280

Related Reports:

The report containing this deficiency also includes information about 2 other violations. Note that these may be related to the same event: Z2I411.01, Z2I411.03

1 other violation reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: 5CID11.01