VA Southeast Network (VISN 7)

Issue: Veteran A contacted the Release of Information (ROI) Office to report that he received a copy of Veteran B's medical record from an employee in the vocational rehabilitation program. The documents included Veteran B's name, full SSN, date of birth…

Outcome: Documents recovered and returned to the Veteran. The Veteran has been notified of the disclosure. The employee has since retired but his former supervisor was made aware of the incident.

Issue: Privacy Officer was called by the wife of an inpatient stating that a family friend who was visiting the patient in the hospital that day was handed a letter by a resident and asked to give the letter to the…

Outcome: Provider Team Lead has discussed with all Residents on importance of privacy and confidentiality of patient information, Resident required to retake Privacy Trng and certs will be sent to PO. All staff have been made aware of disclosure policy. All…

Issue: On 9/28/2012, a Veteran/employee made a written request for a listing of individuals who accessed his medical record. On 9/28/2012, the Information Security Officer (ISO) provided a 12 page listing to the Veteran/employee. On 10/1/2012, the Veteran/employee provided a follow-up…

Outcome: Additional education has been provided to staff.

Issue: Veteran A called the Dorn VA Medical Center Privacy Officer (PO)to inform the PO that her Mental Health records were inadvertently released to the opposing attorney. The Veteran filled out VA Form 10-5345 (Request For and Authorization To Release Medical…

Outcome: Staff has been re-educated on the need to safeguard patient information.

Issue: Employee accessed Veteran's PHI/PII and printed PII & Disability Code information. Documents were found at employee's residence. Update: 10/16/12:One Veteran will be sent a letter offering credit protection services due to full name and full SSN being taken by an…

Outcome: Investigation still pending with OIG & CAVHCS. Employees educated on the 3 reasons to access a Veteran's medical records: treatment, payment and health care operations.…

Issue: Veteran/Employee A reported on two separate occasions that her coworker received copies of her information. Approximately three weeks ago Veteran/Employee B received Veteran/Employee A's appointment letter in the mail. Veteran/Employee B notified her co-worker and gave her the document. On…

Outcome: Additional privacy training to be provided to the Employee Health staff regarding the review of records process.

Issue: A Veteran at the Birmingham VA Medical Center (BVAMC) reported that he misplaced his wallet during a visit to the BVAMC in February 2012. Six months later, the wallet was located. However, when BVAMC attempted to mail the wallet to…

Outcome: Credit monitoring letter was mailed to Patient. Acting Assistant Director, Birmingham VA Medical Center (BVAMC) discussed situation with Chief, Volunteer Services, BVAMC.…

Issue: On September 28, 2012, the Privacy Officer was notified by the Assistant Chief, Pharmacy Service via voice message that a veteran arrived at the Outpatient Pharmacy window to fill his prescription, and discovered that he had two prescriptions. One was…

Outcome: The redacted Credit Monitoring letter has been sent to the veteran. Re-education has been provided to the staff regarding the handling and security of a patient's sensitive information. And the Medical Facility has in process a draft an SOP on…

Issue: A provider in Charleston South Carolina printed out a needs assessment for 474 patients. There were 23 patients with the full SSN and 451 with last four digits of the SSN and full name. They were printed to the library…

Outcome: The provider was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). The provider chose to retire on 10/31/12.…

Issue: Veteran A received his prescription but package also included another Veteran's (B) medication - one medicine. Update: 09/27/12:Veteran B will be sent a notification letter due to PHI being exposed.…

Outcome: This error was reported to the Med Error Hot Line. Pharmacy Supervisor will discuss with employee when she returns to work.…