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 March 27, 2012. Also cited in 90 other reports.
Report ID: 4DN311.01, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: SANTA CLARA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the hospital failed to maintain medical information confidential for one of two sampled patients (2). Findings: On 3/27/12 at 11:45 a.m. during an interview with the pharmacy technician, she stated that on 3/12/12 Patient 1 came into the pharmacy to pick up her medication. Patient 1 had forgotten to bring her "claim check" (a carbon copy provided to the patient which contains the patient's name and medical record number along with the medication pick up time) and therefore proceeded to ask Patient 1 for a picture ID and her date of birth. The pharmacy technician stated she accessed Patient 1's medical record on the computer and continued with the dispensing process. The medication Patient 1 was picking up was a narcotic and therefore the pharmacy technician stated she proceeded to the narcotic bin, grabbed the bag that had Patient 1's first name, and scanned the bar code on the bag which contain the narcotics. She scanned the medication bag into the computer, Patient 1 signed off on the medication, she handed the medication to Patient 1, and the patient exited the building. The pharmacy technician stated when she was assisting the next person in line she realized that the scan for Patient 1's medication did not clear on the computer which indicated a discrepancy in the system. Pharmacy Technician stated she "forced" the system to clear the discrepancy and proceeded to assist the next person in line. When the pharmacy technician returned to the narcotic bin she realized the narcotic bin had medication for another person who had the same first name as Patient 1. Patient 2's first name was the same as Patient 1. When the pharmacy technician saw Patient 2's medication she called Patient 2 and asked her not to take the medication that was just given to her. According to the pharmacy technician, Patient 2 responded by saying she had not yet picked up her medication. The pharmacy technician reviewed the form that was signed by Patient 1 and realized she had given Patient 2's medication to Patient 1. The above incident disclosed Patient 1, Patient 2's name, medication name and dosage, and physician's name.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Patients' Rights