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 Southeast Network (VISN 7)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on November 9, 2011. Also cited in 225 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000068454, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 07 Columbia, SC
Issue:
On 10/13/11, Veteran A contacted the Dorn VA Medical Center Outpatient Supervisor by phone to report an incident. The Veteran informed the Supervisor that he did not receive his medication, which was due to be delivered by UPS. The UPS tracking indicated that the package was delivered. After investigating the incident, the Pharmacy Supervisor and the Narcotic Manager discovered that Veteran A medication package was inadvertently mislabeled, and as a result Veteran B received two medication packages. The Outpatient Pharmacy Supervisor immediately notified Veteran B of the incident. Veteran B returned all the medication and paperwork to the Dorn VA Medical Center Outpatient Pharmacy. The Veteran did not consume any of the incorrect medication. The returned medication package was processed for destruction. Veteran A Physician was contacted, and a duplicate prescription was mailed to the correct Veterans address. The Privacy Officer was informed of this incident on 11/8/11. The information that was disclosedincluded the Veteran's full name, address, the name of the medication and provider. The medication was inadvertently mailed on 10/09/11. Update: 11/09/11:Veteran A will be sent a notification letter.
Outcome:
Staff is being re-educated on the need to safeguard patient information, and the importance of being vigilant when disbursing medication.