CA Hospital System Dumped Human Flesh, Blood And Fentanyl: DA

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office has launched a probe into the county-run hospital system over allegations it illegally dumped waste containing blood-filled vials, confidential patient information, fentanyl and human flesh.

The DA's office announced the probe Thursday and said it would pursue a civil enforcement action against California's second-largest county-owned health system.

"The county's health and hospital system is run with taxpayer dollars," District Attorney Jeff Rosen said. "The public needs to know what happened, and the county will not get a free pass when it comes to environmental protection and consumer privacy laws."

State law requires medical and hazardous waste to be handled "from cradle to grave," mandating proper storage, transportation and disposal protocols. The DA's office alleges Santas Clara Valley Healthcare hospitals unlawfully disposed of such waste, generating tons of contaminated trash.

Investigators embarked on a series of unannounced waste inspections last November, focusing on garbage hauled away from Valley Medical Center, O'Connor Hospital and St. Louise Hospital. Officials said teams from the DA's office worked with the state Department of Toxic Substances Control to sift through the garbage during eight separate inspections.

The DA's office said prohibited items detected during the operation included human tissue, fluid blood, and prescription drugs, including antibiotics anesthetics and fentanyl. Investigators also logged liquid and solid hazardous waste, batteries and hundreds of documents that contained unredacted patient information.

Officials estimated tens of thousands of medical and hazardous materials were illegally trashed over the last year, based on a "pattern of violations" uncovered by the investigation. According to the DA, a separate investigation found medical and hazardous waste in garbage compacts at the Regional Medical Center, which the county is in the process of buying.

Under state law, civil penalties of up to $70,000 can be levied for each confirmed hazardous waste disposal, with a $10,000 maximum for medical waste. Courts also have the authority to issue injunctions to correct misconduct.

The DA's office asks county employees with information about the alleged improper practices to reach out to investigators via e-mail.