South Central VA Health Care Network (VISN 16)

Report ID: SPE000000072395, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Reported Entity: VISN 16 Little Rock, AR

Issue:

There was a mismailing of three Veterans' information, including full name and address. It was reported that it appears the addresses and contact information need to be updated in the facility's CPRS patient record for several patients. One is a patient in our facility currently and the other two are at the place the information was mailed but they need to have a guardian or someone to handle their affairs. VA Health Resource Center said addresses should be marked as "address unknown" until things are taken care of to eliminate this from happening again. Update: 03/02/12:The three patients will receive a general notification letter.03/15/12:An appeal was filed. The DBCT reviewed the appeal and have additional questions. The additional questions were sent to the Privacy Officer.06/26/12:This appeal was never resolved. The DBCT again reviewed the appeal with the following information considered. The PO was told by the PO at the Health Resource Center that the individuals needed a guardian based on a statement made by person at the facility who said they are not capable of managing their own financial affairs. Per members of the DBCT, an inability to handle financial affairs does not automatically require a guardian for other purposes. There is no information to indicate that any clinical staff determined that a guardian was necessary. The DBCT denied the appeal. Notification is still required. Notification is still required.

Outcome:

Staff have been reminded of the importance of protecting information. Letters have gone out see attached.