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 Healthcare - VISN 4 (VISN 4)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on May 16, 2011. Also cited in 239 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000062536, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 04 Butler, PA
Issue:
Document scanning cover sheet and medical imaging report for one Veteran were left on a printer in an open area. The VAMC is under construction and employees are being moved to various areas. Someone printed information to the printer and did not retrieve the information. The document was unattended for approximately 1 day, included the patient's date of birth, and was in a public area. Update: 05/16/11:The Veteran will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
The PHI and PII information that was left on the printer was printed from staff swing offices. Staff use these offices when their offices are under construction for various reasons. An email message was sent to all staff that use these offices that privacy rules still apply even though they may not be located in their current office. If they print something on a printer it is still their responsibility to retrieve that item. It was also suggested if they print to a printer no located in their room, that they have another employee stand by the printer to retrieve the information.