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 Heartland Network (VISN 15)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on August 15, 2011. Also cited in 149 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000065761, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 15 Columbia, MO
Issue:
An employee left paper documents in a government vehicle. The documents were discovered when the vehicle was returned. The documents were of various types:A Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) Medication Reconciliation report for 2 Veterans. Report contains full name, and list of medications);An HBPC Case Manager Census Report for 29 Veterans. Report contains full names, partial SSNs, home addresses and home telephone numbers;A Letter from a VBA Regional Office for 1 Veteran. The letter includes full name, full SSN, PHI, and information about claims assistance.The employee that left the documents is provided a lockable briefcase in which to secure documents. The documents were found unsecured. The supervisor provided the documents to the Privacy Officer (PO) on 08/15/11. The Documents appear to have been printed on 08/11/11. Update: 08/16/11:Upon further investigation, the documents were left on top of the car for an unspecified amount of time. 31 Veterans will be sent letters of notification. The one Veteran listed on the VBA letter will be offered credit protection services since his full SSN was disclosed.
Outcome:
Letters signed and mailed 9-1-11. Appropriate action taken by HR and service line. PO provided re-education on safeguarding documents with PHI.