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 Health Care Upstate New York (VISN 2)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on March 21, 2012. Also cited in 132 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000073178, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 02 Syracuse, NY
Issue:
A patient filed complaint stating that two employees who he used to live with and are past friends of his approached him while he was in the Emergency Department and later in his room when he was admitted to the hospital. He wanted to know how the employees knew he was in the hospital and how to find him while he was there. He is concerned his privacy was violated and requested it be looked into further. Update: 03/22/12:According to the Privacy Officer (PO) a fact finding was done and the friend was told by the Patient's mother that he was in the hospital. The employee did access his medical record to find out where in the hospital he was. Therefore Patient A will receive a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
Employee educated on being prohibited from accessing a patient's medical record outside a need to now to her job. Human resources confirmed disciplinary action in the form of an admonishment was taken with the employee and on file. Issue resolved.