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 March 21, 2013. Also cited in 228 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000087042, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 18 Phoenix, AZ
Issue:
Today, 03/21/13, the Nurse Manager of Home Care reported a missing Veteran roster of the contract Community Based Nursing Home Veterans. A nurse who works in the community printed a paper list of approximately 75 Veterans for her community encounters on Wednesday, 03/13/13. The next day, the list was missing. Initial efforts to locate the list have included a search of her personal belongings, car and general call to the facility where the list was last seen. The list contained approximately 75 Veteran's first and last names, full SSNs, facility, diagnosis code, and specialty unit with notes. ACTIONS:The nurse agreed to do an additional search of belongings. Re-creation of the Veteran listing from 03/13/13 was requested. If the list is not found, immediate call to facility clinical POC with search methodology request there. Recovery efforts and results are pending. Privacy training records for 2 staff requested. Further investigation and notification is pending. Update: 03/25/13:Letters offering credit protection services will be sent to 75 Veterans.
Outcome:
Nurse manager was provided with additional references and verbal guidance regarding allowing staff to take PHI off campus Both nurses involved were provided with re-education regarding transportation of hard copies of materials with supervisory approval. The supervisory written approval for this was discussed, granted and updated. Appropriate disciplinary actions taken after further interviews and HR review. Credit monitor offers sent to all Veterans including updated addresses for Veterans or NOK.