VA Mid South Healthcare Network (VISN 9)

Report ID: PSETS0000087412, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Reported Entity: VISN 09 Memphis, TN

Issue:

A patient admitted on Ward 1-West found a patient list which included his name and as well as other patients on the ward. Other pieces of information on the list included full SSN, diagnosis, diet allergies, weight, patient problems, and vital signs. The patient had his family members visiting him at Ward 1-West, so he went to the ward day room with them. While in the day room, he found the list and immediately made a report to the Social Worker assigned to the Ward. The patient told the Social Worker he made a personal copy of the list to keep. The list had a total of 11 patients. Update: 04/01/13:Letters offering credit protection services will be sent to 11 Veterans.

Outcome:

Credit Monitoring letters are ready to be mailed to the Veterans affected by this incident. A redacted copy has been uploaded to this incident.PO has submitted his summary report regarding the fact-finding and the outcome to the Nursing leadership. As it was difficult to pin-point specific individuals responsible for this incident, it was determined that all nursing staff working assigned to the patient care Wards\Units need to be educated on the proper safeguards that needs to be adopted to prevent this type of incident from happening again. This recommendation was contained in the PO's summary report submitted to the Interim Associate Director for Patient Care (ADPC) at Memphis VAMC. PO requested ADPC action and response on the recommendation by April 30, 2013.PO determined that Veterans SSN and full name may have been compromised as a result of this incident. The incident is considered closed as of April 12, 2013.

Related Reports:

1 other violation reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: PSETS0000087404