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 November 22, 2011. Also cited in 187 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000068914, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 06 Durham, NC
Issue:
On Sunday, November 20, 2011 the police stopped a Veteran who was not in a clinic area in the hospital. When they questioned him and searched his belongings, they found patient health information for three Veterans. They confiscated the patient health information. Police are in the process of investigating the situation but have not talked the Veteran since Sunday. After reviewing the patient health information, it was found two of the three patient's information were from another VA hospital. The PO's have not been able to determine how the Veteran obtained patient health information of three other Veterans as of this date and time. Update: 11/28/11:VA police state they have been unable to reach the Veteran by phone. The Veteran also did not show to his scheduled appointment. The Veteran is a mental health patient and has questionable mental status. On November 20 when he was found in the hospital, the police did ask him how he obtained patient health information but the Veteran responded with mumbling and unintelligible words.11/28/11:Three (3) Veterans will be sent letters offering credit protection services due to full name and full SSN being exposed.
Outcome:
Police have verified this Veteran is in jail. He is also a mental health patient and we have no expectation that the police will be able to verify how he obtained patient health information at Durham and the other VA facility. Requesting ticket to be closed.