VA Southeast Network (VISN 7)

Issue: A patient states he was seen and diagnosed by a previous provider who worked for a private hospital previous to current VA employment. Patient states he lodged a legal suit against another private sector provider years later. Patient contacted the…

Outcome: Provider was required to retake Privacy and HIPAA training, VA Information Security trng. Patient record marked sensitive. Memo to HR and Service with recommendations. Redacted CRM Ltr uploaded and mailed today.…

Issue: On 3/21/2011 Veteran As wife called the Dorn VA Medical Center Pharmacy to inform them that she received a medication package addressed to her husband by mail. Upon opening the package, she realized the package contained medication intended for her…

Outcome: Staff is being re-educated on the need to safeguard patient information, and the importance of being vigilant when disbursing medication.

Issue: On 3/23/11, Veteran A received a reminder by mail of an upcoming health benefit seminar appointment. Veteran A was surprised to see a second appointment letter, which was intended for Veteran B, included in the same envelope. Veteran A contacted…

Outcome: Staff is being re-educated on the need to safeguard patient information.

Issue: Patient A requested a copy of the access report for his record. Patient A indicated 13 names of employees who he believes did not have a need to know in regard to accessing his medical record. The report also indicates…

Outcome: Privacy fact-finding conducted. Employee recommended for disciplinary or corrective action. Additional training recommended for others.

Issue: On March 18, 2011, Veteran A received by mail a reminder of an upcoming Optometry appointment, and medical supplies. According to Veteran A, he requested an address change during an Optometry appointment, but the wrong Veterans (Veteran B) address was…

Outcome: Staff is being re-educated on the need to safeguard patient information.

Issue: On 03/11/11, Veteran A received a reminder by mail of an upcoming Health Benefit Seminar appointment. The Veteran was surprised to see a second appointment letter, which was intended for another Veteran included in the same envelope. Veteran A contacted…

Outcome: Employees are being re-educated on the need to safeguard patient information.

Issue: On 3/7/2011, Veteran A received an Electromyography (EMG) letter from the Dorn VA Medical Center. Veteran A was surprised to see that the letter, which was intended for another Veteran, contained his address. On the morning of 3/8/2011, Veteran A…

Outcome: Employees are being re-educated on the need to safeguard patient information.

Issue: On 3/11/2011, Veteran A (father) received a reminder by mail of an upcoming Surgical Optometry Greenville Outpatient Clinic appointment. Veteran A was surprised to see that an additional appointment letter, which was intended for Veteran B (his son), included in…

Outcome: Employees are being re-educated on the need to safeguard patient information.

Issue: Employee reported that he received an un-redacted copy of 2 patients' information in the copy of his disciplinary file that he picked up from HR. The information included the patients' full names, full SSN, DOB, provider names and active orders.…

Outcome: HR Specialist received guidance from PO on proper redaction, review, and release of information from files when processing request. The employee also completed additional privacy training and conducted privacy training for the Employee relations/Labor relations staff as a part of…

Issue: Veteran A's wife contacted the Birmingham VAMC to report another Veteran (Veteran B) contacted her yesterday. Veteran B told Veteran A's wife that she had received a letter from the BVAMC. When the letter was opened, Veteran A's information was…

Outcome: BVAMC employee placed a consult sheet in the wrong envelope and sent to the wrong patient. The documents were returned to the facility. Notification letter has was sent on March 25, 2011. A copy of the redacted letter is attached.…