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-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on September 18, 2012. Also cited in 187 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000080263, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 06 Durham, NC
Issue:
On September 5, 2012 a mental health (MIRECC) research assistant brought to the attention of the Primary Investigator (PI) that a consent form for one patient was missing. Both the patient and the pharmacy had copies but the original could not be found. The scanned document exists in the Computerized Patient record System (CPRS). The name of the study is Pregnenolone for Cognitive and Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia. This is a VA merit review study. The PI reported the loss of the form to the Institutional Review Board on September 12, 2012. Research staff will be reminded that all incidents must be reported within one hour of identification. The PIs staff belief is that the form is misfiled, likely in Building 5, 6, or 10 which are all locked and require a smart card for access. It is possible that researchers who are not a part of the study have accidentally filed it with their records. This line of investigation is being pursued. The consent form could be in one of three buildings. As part of the corrective action, the forms will no longer leave the building in which the patient signed the form. The sole exception will be if the printer/scanner equipment has malfunctioned. Update: 09/19/12:One (1) Patient will be sent a letter offering credit protection services due to the form containing full name and full SSN being missing.
Outcome:
The Primary Investigator and his team have been instructed to retake the Privacy training to raise their level of awareness in the protection of our Veteran's privacy. Certificates submitted to the Privacy Office.