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 August 1, 2012. Also cited in 225 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000078649, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 07 Columbia, SC
Issue:
On 07/26/12, Veteran A visited the Dorn VA Medical Center Compensation and Pension (C&P) Clinic. Before leaving the C&P Clinic, he was directed to a photographer that took pictures to support his service connected disability. On the way back home from his C&P appointment, Veteran A was very disturbed when he realized that he was inadvertently given another Veterans C&P exam request form. On 07/30/12, Veteran A visited the Greenville County VA Office and presented Veteran B's C&P form to the Assistant Director. The Assistant Director contacted the Dorn VA Privacy Officer (PO) by phone to report the incident and discuss concerns of identity theft. The Veteran is very worried that Veteran B may have received documents intended for him. According to Veteran A, the C&P form was given to him by the photographer. The Information Security Officer (ISO) and the Chief of Health Information Management (HIM) is being notified of this incident. The PO will continue to investigate this incident. The information disclosed is Veteran B's full name, address, full social security number and financial information. Update: 08/13/12:One Veteran will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
Staff has been re-educated on the need to safeguard patient information.