Sioux Falls Regional Benefit Office

Issue: A VA employee posted a picture of part of a VA letter on Facebook mocking the mistake made by the facility. The copy showed the name and address of one Veteran/employee (not this employee) while it addresses a different Veteran…

Outcome: 06/24/14: The picture was taken down on Thursday afternoon. The letter in the picture involved Veteran A's name and address, and was asking him to set up an appointment in Primary Care. Veteran B was in the picture, but only…

Issue: Scheduler entered a CPRS note in a Veteran's record to the Veteran's provider, expressing specific health concerns about the Veteran. The scheduler is a friend of the Veteran and works in another department from the provider. Scheduler did not have…

Outcome: 04/30/14: The Incident Resolution Team determined that the veteran will receive a HIPAA letter of notification.…

Issue: Employee verbally disclosed a Veteran's medical information to a coworker. The coworker is the Veteran's spouse and the information was a message from another department. The information was disclosed in front of other employees. The Veteran is aware as he…

Outcome: 04/24/14: The Incident Resolution Team has determined that the Veteran will be sent a notification letter.…

Issue: Veteran A was emailed Veteran B's information. A recall attempt was made but did not work to an external email address.

Outcome: 03/03/14: The Incident Resolution Team has determined that Veteran B will be sent a HIPAA notification letter due to Protected Health Information (PHI) being disclosed.…

Issue: Veteran A's BVA decision was inadvertently mailed to another person. Veteran A's name and full SSN was disclosed.…

Outcome: 02/28/14: The Incident Resolution Team has determined that Veteran A will be sent a letter offering credit protection services, as his full SSN was disclosed.…

Issue: Veteran A was mailed a copy of Veteran B c-file in error. Veteran A requested credit monitoring also due to lack of trust in the process. Veteran B's name, address, full SSSN and date of birth were compromised.…

Outcome: 02/12/14: The Incident Resolution Team (IRT) determined that Veteran B will receive a letter offering credit protection services, due to the data elements exposed. The IRT does not have the authority to provide credit protection services to Veteran A since…

Issue: A letter was sent to Veteran A with Veteran B's Social Security Number on header of page 2 and 3.

Outcome: 02/06/14: Veteran B will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.…

Issue: An employee faxed medical information documents to the wrong fax number. Went to a home fax rather than intended outside provider. The person receiving the fax promptly contacted VA. They are mailing the documents to VA so the Privacy Officer…

Outcome: 12/30/13: Veteran A will be sent a notification letter.…

Issue: Veteran A was mailed an award letter with Veteran B's Social Security Number on the header of pages two and three.

Outcome: 12/02/13: Veteran B will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.…

Issue: Veteran A received Veteran B's medication vial along with his own medications. Veteran A contacted VA and is sending Veteran B's medication back.

Outcome: 11/15/13: Veteran B will be sent a HIPAA notification letter due to Protected Health Information (PHI) being disclosed.…