VA Healthcare - VISN 4 (VISN 4)

Issue: OI&T Employee/Veteran received another Veteran's Statement of Medical Care Cost Recovery Account Activity at his home residence. The OI&T employee/Veteran returned this document to VA custody. Both Veterans have the same last name. It was determined the Veteran's address in…

Outcome: The billing package has been edited.

Issue: VA employee accessed his father's (Veteran A) medical record on two occasions. Update: 09/17/12:Veteran A will be sent a HIPAA notification letter.…

Outcome: Sanctions pending supervisor and HR recommendation. Notification letter sent to patient. Policy and education are present and in effect.…

Issue: A call was received by facility Pharmacy Technician from the VHA Pharmacy Central Call Center on 09/12/12, reporting that a Veteran's medications were mailed to the wrong address. The medications are being returned to the Pharmacy Technician to be mailed…

Outcome: The medications had Veteran's correct address but were delivered to the wrong address by the US Postal Service. On 09/14/12, the medications were returned to the facility pharmacy and were mailed out again to the Veteran. A notification letter was…

Issue: Two Veterans have the same last name. The Pharmacy accidentally included paperwork from Veteran A's prescription with medication and information mailed to Veteran B. Veteran B notified the Pharmacy of the error and returned Veteran A's paperwork. Medication itself was…

Outcome: Pharmacy staff made aware to prevent future incidents.

Issue: A skin reassessment list of inpatients was erroneously mailed to a Veteran by a VA employee. The Veteran has returned the list to VA custody. Approximately 46 full names, full SSNs and ward locations are on the list. Update: 09/12/12:A…

Outcome: It has been determine the Veteran requested discharge instructions to be mailed to his home and in doing so the VA employee accidently included the skin reassessment list in the envelope. The Privacy Officer has reviewed the Privacy Policy with…

Issue: Release of information clerk sent out Veteran A's power of attorney forms which belonged to Veteran B. Information released was full power of attorney documents which included full name, full social security number, full address, and next of kin information.…

Outcome: Employee was reminded on the importance of safeguarding personal patient identifiable information.

Issue: Veteran A contacted the facility Privacy Office and advised this office that he received another Veteran's letter. The letter contained Veteran B's full name, address and list of medications. Update: 09/07/12:Veteran B will be sent a notification letter.…

Outcome: Staff were reminded on the importance of safeguarding patient information.

Issue: Veteran called and said that his mother, who is an employee, went into his records without his permission. Veteran was asked to come in to make a written statement of the facts. The Veteran came in the next day. He…

Outcome: Access was removed from the employee.

Issue: When Veteran A was checking out in the clinic area, he received Veteran B's appointment information showing full name, full social security number and appointment data information. Veteran A mailed the paperwork to the Privacy Officer (PO). The PO received…

Outcome: Staff members were reminded on the importance of safeguarding patient identifiable information.

Issue: Veteran A received a letter intended for Veteran B. The letter contained Veteran B's full name and address. Update: 09/04/12:The letter was a Fee approval for Home Care Services. Due to full name and address being exposed, Veteran B will…

Outcome: The Fee Department was educated by their supervisor about the importance of checking letters before they are placed into the envelopes.