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.
Northwest Network (VISN 20)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on July 12, 2012. Also cited in 208 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000077773, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 20 Portland, OR
Issue:
Veteran A brought lab results and provider letters for Veterans B and C with him to his clinic appointment on July 11, 2012. A package with medication intended for Veteran B was included with the letters but the package was not opened. Veteran As mailing address had been mistakenly recorded in Veteran Bs record. The items mailed to him were believed to have gone to the correct address. The one letter for Veteran C was mistakenly sent in one of the 3 envelopes mailed to Veteran B with his letter.The mailing address has already been corrected in the medical record and Veteran Bs medications have already been resent. The clinic staff have already contacted the Veteran to let him know there had been a mismailing that had caused a delay. Update: 07/13/12:Veteran B and C will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
The mailing error occurred because another Veterans address change had been recorded in your record. The employees mailing these items believed they had the correct address. Arrangements were made for the Pharmacy to re-mail the medication that day. The office which mailed the letter has been made aware of the address mistake and the employees in the clinic are being informed to prevent this from occurring again.