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.
Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on March 4, 2015. Also cited in 21 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000116253, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: GULF COAST HCS - 520
Issue:
The spouse (former VA employee) of Veteran A was reviewing Veteran A's medical information on a CD that was obtained from the Release of Information (ROI) office on 02/23/15. The spouse realized the information was not Veteran A's (it was Veteran B's) medical information and she contacted the Privacy Officer (PO) via telephone to report the event. Arrangements have been made for the spouse to return the CD to this Privacy Officer tomorrow (03/0515) for processing. There is a concern Veteran A's medical information was inappropriately released to another entity. A fact-finding investigation has been initiated by the ROI Supervisor.
Outcome:
03/05/15: The Incident Resolution Service Team has determined that Veteran B will be sent a HIPAA notification letter due to Protected Health Information (PHI) being disclosed.