South Central VA Health Care Network (VISN 16)

Issue: Employee A called the Privacy Officer (PO) and advised that her privacy had been violated. She was contacted by Employee B (same names) and told that Employee B had received a notice that information had been added to her Personnel…

Outcome: HR reviewed both folders and failed to find any misfiled documents.

Issue: A Pathfinder Employee found a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam for a Veteran on the printer in the Bldg 182 Warehouse this morning. He took it to the supervisor who reported it to the Privacy Officer (PO). Update: 06/05/12:The Veteran…

Outcome: Unable to tell who would have printed this document to the printer. Staff in the area appropriately responded and got the information to their supervisor. Redacted letter went out 6 12 12.…

Issue: Veteran A was given a print out confirming the time for a scheduled medical appointment. When he got home he noticed the print out contained the names, SSNs, and appointment times of 10 other Veterans. He mailed the listing back…

Outcome: Individual received one on one privacy refresher training regarding the protection of patient information in the work area. Individual was also counseled by section supervisor.…

Issue: Accounts receivable Bill Profile for Veteran A was mismailed to Veteran B's address. The letter contained the bill number, insured name, ID number, group number and group name. Update: 06/04/12:Veteran A will receive a general notification letter.…

Outcome: Employee was MSCPAC employee and has completed privacy training again. Forwarded information to MSCPAC PO for any administrative action.…

Issue: Patient A received Patient B's appointment letter. The appointment letter contained Patient B's name, address, and diagnosis. Update: 05/30/12:Patient B will be sent a notification letter.06/08/12:The Privacy Officer (PO) requested that the ticket be re-opened. There was a problem with…

Outcome: The original letter was mailed out over a year ago. The Privacy Offficer is unable to determine who, or what service mailed the letter. A HIPAA notification letter sent to Patient B on 06/07/12.…

Issue: Veteran A received Veteran B's medication and medication information sheet in the mail. The information disclosed included Patient B's name, address and medication information. Update: 05/30/12:Veteran B will be sent a notification letter.…

Outcome: Supervisor spoke with staff involved.

Issue: Patient A came in for a visit to his yellow team and new medication was given to him. He picked up the medication. When he got home his wife went to set up the medication and noticed he had been…

Outcome: Pharmacy staff notified that they should be more aware of names on RX packages.

Issue: Veteran A received Veteran B's medication. Veteran A will return the medication to this VAMC today. Update: 05/21/12:Veteran B will be sent a notification letter.…

Outcome: Incident has been investigation and staff made aware of this issue.

Issue: Medical Information from two different patients was mailed to a Veteran who requested requested his own information and received their information. The Veteran mailed back the information to the VA. Update: 05/18/12:Due to medical information and full SSN being disclosed…

Outcome: Information was returned. Appropriate action taken.…

Issue: Veteran A received a package with his medication and medication information sheet. The package also contained the medication information sheet for Veteran B. Update: 05/17/12:Veteran B will be sent a letter of notification.…

Outcome: Reeducated the Pharmacy staff of the importance of protecting Veterans PHI and to be observant when working with PHI