VA Southwest Health Care Network (VISN 18)

Report ID: SPE000000066831, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Reported Entity: VISN 18 El Paso, TX

Issue:

A Veteran reported receiving mis-faxed documents at his personal fax number in past several weeks from VA with information regarding patients' names and information for authorizations for care, information referring patients for medical care in community. Was upset at VA wasting his fax paper and sending other Veteran's information inappropriately to him---stated he sent info back to originating fax with note stating mistake by VA and to get straightened up. Update: 11/09/11:One Veteran's information was misfaxed, therefore one (1) Veteran will receive a letter offering credit protection services.

Outcome:

11/30/2011 Letter of notification with offer of credit monitoirng drafted and forwarded to Director for signature. Additionally, Action Plan developed per recommendation of Privacy Officer and at request of Director to address other identified issues and assure resolution (need for facility policies surrounding new processess and procedures in this area where breach occurred; accountability and re-traing, education for involved staff, oversight per Privacy Officer to assure adequate safeguards and practices in place.) JWinstead, Privacy Officer EPVAHCS12/5/2011 Letter of notification mailed via UPS tracked mail to Veteran per above providing notification and offer of credit monitoring. Continuing to work with Responsible Supervisor in area where breach occurred to initiate and develop approved facility policies and necessary Standard operating Procedures to assure that this type of problem does not occur again. Uploaded redacted letter of notification to this site; ticket still pending closure as per this note with pending completion of necessary focused re-training and development of necessary policies and procedures. Submitted: JWinstead, Privacy Officer EPVAHCS