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 Southwest Health Care Network (VISN 18)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on June 1, 2012. Also cited in 228 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000076262, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 18 Phoenix, AZ
Issue:
Pharmacy Supervisor reports that Veteran B received medication by mail intended for Veteran A. Prepaid envelope to recover Medication provided to Veteran B. Pharmacy processed medications again and dispensed to both Veterans. Review of addressing indicates that another department changed Veteran A's address on 4/26/2012 which was corrected. Additional notification, investigation, and corrective actions to ensue. Update: 06/04/.12:Veteran A will receive a HIPAA notification letter.
Outcome:
Supervisor provided with documentation that their employee made address change. Investigation determines that a same named person was seen at the employee's clinic that day. The employee failed to verify part or full SSN so the other same-named person was retrieved with an address occurring for the other Veteran instead. Based on this, corrective Veteran identity education will ensue.