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 Mid South Healthcare Network (VISN 9)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on February 22, 2011. Also cited in 328 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000058632, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 09 Nashville, TN
Issue:
On January 14, 2011, Veteran was seen in the VA ER (Nashville campus). Staff placed an armband on Veteran which contained her full SSN.Veteran lost the armband at VA and is concerned about identity theft. Issue was reported to PO on February 22, 2011 via a "Tell It To The Director" comment. Update: 02/22/11:Veteran A will receive a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
3/17/11 - Privacy Response ltr and Credit Monitoring letter mailed to Veteran today. Per the PO's findings:The use of the full Social Security number for armband identification purposes is an issue which is being discussed nationally and at our VISN level. At present, VHA safety standards require the use of the full Social Security number for patient identification purposes. VHA has more than 132,000 Veterans with the same full name and date of birth. Thus, it is imperative a Veteran be accurately identified before care is provided. For future reference, we have asked the ER staff to do due diligence to remove the armband prior to the Veterans departure from the area. Additionally, although we have no information to indicate your personal information has been misused or stolen, we are offering you free credit monitoring PO request closure. Emailed redacted CM letter to