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 violations of California’s Health and Safety Code relating to medical privacy during an inspection that began on August 20, 2014. Also cited in 90 other reports.
Report ID: CKZM11.02, California Department of Public Health
Reported Entity: SANTA CLARA VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER
Issue:
Based on interview and record review, the hospital failed to safely dispense prescription medication for one of two sampled patients (2), when Patient 2 was inadvertently mailed Patient 1's medication. The failure resulted in Patient 2 receiving the incorrect medication. Findings:The California Department of Public Health received a faxed report on 8/22/13, which indicated on 8/19/13 that Patient 2 brought to the hospital affiliated pharmacy (Pharmacy A) three medication bottles, which belonged to Patient 1. During an interview on 8/20/14 at 2:15 p.m., the pharmacy supervisor (PS) stated Patient 2 had inadvertently received Patient 1's medication through the mail. Patient 2 returned the incorrect medications to Pharmacy A, and told the pharmacy staff his doctor had not ordered those medications for him. Patient 2 also told Pharmacy A staff he had not taken any of the medications.During an interview on 8/26/14 at 3 p.m., the pharmacist in charge of Pharmacy B (PCS) stated, in 08/2013 Patient 2 had returned to Pharmacy A the package he had received in the mail, with the three medications, and told staff the medications were not prescribed for him. An internal investigation by the Pharmacy A staff revealed the medications belonged to Patient 1 (both patients had the same first and last name with a different middle name).During an interview on 8/26/14 at 3 p.m., the pharmacy technician (PT) stated Patient 2 had walked into Pharmacy A, where PT was working and handed her the three medications. PT stated Patient 2 told her he was dropping off the medications since they did not belong to him. A review of the hospital's 12/2011 "Mail-Order Shipping Execution/Delivery Confirmation Tracking" policy indicated double check and match the patient's name on the shipping label and the name on the prescription label before sealing the container.
Outcome:
Deficiency cited by the California Department of Public Health: Pharmaceutical Service General Requirements