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.
Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on July 21, 2011. Also cited in 141 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000064941, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 21 Palo Alto, CA
Issue:
It is undetermined if this is a duplicate ticket for this incident, the reporting facility is unable to verify with the Palo Alto Privacy Officer ( PO) if another ticket has been entered. A package containing research information was sent to the coordinating site by UPS on 07/11/11. The package arrived at the coordinating site on 07/12/11. The package was signed for by the receiving office, then sent to the mailroom. The mail room acknowledged receiving the package. On 07/14/11 Palo Alto research staff contacted the Portland research office inquiring on the package status of the package.The Information Security Officer (ISO) office was informed on 07/20/11 about the incident and the incident was reported to the Palo Alto PO and the Palo Alto PO would be contacting the Portland PO. After talking with the Portland PO, no contact was made. The Portland PO has made attempts to contact the Palo Alto PO by phone and by email no response. Update: 07/22/11:It has not been confirmed when the package was last seen and it still has not been located. It contains the full name and full SSN of six individuals. Six patients will receive a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
Service supervisor re-educated all warehouse staff to secure and distribute incoming packages. Warehouse staff will sign for all incoming packages in the LC logic system and tag packages with the room number where the package will be delivered. Mail clerks will verify the number of packages to be distributed before leaving the warehouse. The recipients must sign for receiving the package as well.