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.
Northwest Network (VISN 20)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on October 3, 2012. Also cited in 208 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000080815, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 20 Portland, OR
Issue:
A Veteran who was admitted to the facility but requested to be Opted-Out of the facility patient directory had his inpatient status disclosed to his estranged wife by a VA employee. The employee did not check the current Veterans electronic medical record to review see his opt-out status before disclosing that he was an inpatient scheduled for surgery. The Veteran was made aware of this error by his clinical support staff and he chose to change his status to include his name in the directory because he felt it was causing too much confusion with people coming to see him. Update: 10/03/12:One Veteran will be sent a letter of notificaiton.
Outcome:
Our facility Privacy Officer has spoken with the employee and supervisor and they will consult the electronic record regarding inquiries about our inpatients so there is no confusion over their status in our directory.