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 Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on October 28, 2011. Also cited in 369 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000068129, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 08 San Juan, PR
Issue:
A furniture turn in request (VA TI # 672-11-4-2222-0784) was submitted to the warehouse for turn in of furniture. On 10/26/11 the furniture was removed from the loading dock by the warehouse staff and taken to a local VA storage unit. Today while processing the furniture for turn in the warehouse staff identified documents containing sensitive information in one of the file cabinets turned in. The information was collected and turned in to the Information Security Officer (ISO) for proper custody and any necessary action. The document included a patient's name, address, full SSN and diagnosis. Update: 10/31/11:The file cabinet was unattended at the loading dock. The patient will receive a letter offering credit protection services.12/14/11:Further investigation indicates that there should be 51 offers for credit protection services due to name and full SSN being potentially compromised and 198 letter of notification due to protected helath information being potentially compromised.
Outcome:
PO states appropriate disciplinary actions should be given to the 6 employees for violations of VHA Privacy Policy CM No.00-11-15 according to the Sanctions Clause 5.0:A. Enforcement of a previous recommendation made by the Privacy Officer due to another breach, that requested an SOP when moving and/or disposing documents that contain sensitive information. This SOP should be circulated to all VACHS employees.