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 Southeast Network (VISN 7)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on March 7, 2011. Also cited in 225 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000059197, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 07 Charleston, SC
Issue:
A VA employee found four (4) pages of a Veteran's consult for Social Work service on the condiments counter at the VA in house Starbucks. Starbucks opens at 7:00 a.m. and the documents were found at 9:00 a.m. It is unknown how long they were left unattended. The Privacy Officer (PO) is still investigating. Update: 03/07/11: The paperwork left in the public area included the full name, social security number, address, date of birth, and diagnosis of the Veteran. The Veteran will be offered credit protection services. 03/09/11: The PO contacted Social Work service and spoke with the Social Workers but no one admitted going to Starbucks that day or leaving the consult unattended. This Veteran has been an inpatient since 03/06/11 so any number of employees could have printed the consult. The PO is unable to identify who committed the breach. NOTE: There were a total of 21 Mis-Handling incidents this reporting period. Because of repetition the other 20 are not included in this report, but is included in the "Mis-Handling Incidents" count at the end of this report. In all incidents veterans will receive a notification letter and/or credit monitoring will be offered if appropriate.
Outcome:
Privacy Officer could not determine who made the violation. Veteran is an inpatient and anyone associated with his care and/or who had access to print PHI documents could have left paperwork in Starbucks. PO personally hand delivered letter with credit protection offer to patient's room. His family was with him and PO explained what transpired and how to apply for the credit protection. Family was very understanding and appreciative of all the care Veteran has received from our VAMC. PO will reiterate protection of PII and PHI with service chiefs meeting on March 23, 2011 and encourage them to discuss with their staff at all meetings.