Search Privacy Violations, Breaches and Complaints
This database was last updated in December 2015 ago and should only be used as a historical snapshot. More recent data on breaches affecting 500 or more people is available at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Breach Portal.
VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on June 12, 2012. Also cited in 187 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000076595, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 06 Asheville, NC
Issue:
A Provider left telephonic information about lab results on a telephone message system concerning lab report of Veteran. The Veteran lives with his sister who played back the message and became aware of brother's lab report. The caused disharmony in the family. Update: 06/12/12:The Veteran will be sent a notification letter due to protected health information (PHI) being disclosed inappropriately.06/26/12:An appeal was filed. The DBCT reviewed and granted the appeal based on the evidence submitted which states that the victim and recipient are brother and sister and reside in the same household. The recipient (sister) is already privy to the victim's personally identifiable information (PII). The only issue was that the recipient listened to the message concerning the victim's lab report and that caused some difficulty in the home. The victim has met with the provider who committed the error and has also met with the Privacy Officer. The DBCT accepted the meetings with the provider and the PO as satisfying the requirement of an alternate means of notification. Written notification is not required.
Outcome:
The DBCT agreed to accept the meetings with the provider and the PO as an alternate means of notification. Written notification is not required.Referred to service chief for administrative action.