VA New England Healthcare System (VISN 1)

Issue: The Pharmacy Chief provided the Privacy Officer an incident report that shows on 03/25/13 Veteran A received the prescription of Veteran B. The report shows that the medication was mailed by the Providence VAMC. Update: 03/27/13:Veteran B will be sent…

Outcome: Employee was educated on the importance of double checking to prevent incidents. Notification letter sent to veteran on 3/28/13…

Issue: A Call Center employee called today stating that Veteran A reported receiving Veteran B's information when he left the Lewiston Community Based Outpatient Clinic. The information was a "Progress Report" with lab results for Veteran B. The document contained full…

Outcome: Education provided to staff.

Issue: Employee A told Employee B he/she had accessed Employee B's Workman's Comp information. Update: 03/27/13:Employee will be sent a letter offering credit protection services due to full name, SSN and PHI being accessed without authorization.…

Outcome: PO sent VHA 1605.2 to employee for review and the employee re-completed VA Privacy and Security Training. The Chief of Labor Relations at HR and the employee's supervisor were brief on the findings to take further appropriate disciplinary action. Credit…

Issue: Employee A was talking with Employee B when Employee A noticed Employee B's PC screen display was that of a relative of Employee B. When questioned, Employee B claim not to know this was not appropriate. Update: 03/15/13:The Veteran will…

Outcome: Employee A was talking with Employee B when Employee A noticed Employee B's PC screen display was that of a relative of Employee B. When questioned, Employee B claim not to know this was not appropriate.…

Issue: An Ex-Employee/Veteran requested a copy of who has accessed his electronic records. He stated a person's name and felt they were accessing his records inappropriately. The list was run and this person's name is on the list of accessing his…

Outcome: The supervisor has contacted HR and is awaiting what steps to take next on this employee based on her inappropriate access into this former employee's record. Even though the employee said that this ex-employee asked her to look into his…

Issue: An outside Attorney's Office telephoned the Medical Records section reporting they did not receive a Veteran's information. The information was mailed via UPS on 11/15/12 to the Attorney's Office and has a tracking number and was signed for there. The…

Outcome: Attempted to gather information from UPS. No package information was available. Credit Monitoring Letter sent to Veteran.…

Issue: A VA employee handed Veteran A radiology information belonging to Veteran B. The information included full SSN, full name, date of birth, and a copy of the report and the radiology exams (X-rays). The information was reported to the Privacy…

Outcome: The employee was given the appropriate disciplinary action. They were also asked to make sure they have taken their Privacy Training.…

Issue: Veteran A was mailed a consultation sheet with a consult request for medical service for Veteran B. Veteran A mailed the papers back to the Privacy Officer. Update: 02/15/13:Veteran B will receive a HIPAA letter of notification.…

Outcome: Education was provided.

Issue: A Primary Care appointment reminder letter was mailed to Veteran A that was meant for Veteran B. Veteran A mailed the reminder letter back to the Privacy Officer (PO). The letter contained Veteran B's name and appointment information. Update: 02/15/13:Veteran…

Outcome: Education was provided.

Issue: Fee Services mailed an authorization letter for an appointment for Veteran A to Veteran B. Veteran B mailed back authorization form to the Privacy Officer (PO). The letter contained Veteran A's name, address, partial SSN and diagnosis. Update: 03/15/13:Veteran A…

Outcome: Education to staff member was provided and retrieval of letter.