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.
Northwest Network (VISN 20)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on July 27, 2012. Also cited in 208 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000078462, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 20 Boise, ID
Issue:
Veteran A sent the prescriptions and a letter stating that he had received someone elses (Veteran B) filled out prescription blanks to be filled at a pharmacy of the patients choice. In the letter Veteran A described this is the second time he has been sent Veteran B's prescriptions. Veteran A and Veteran B have the same first and last names, same month and year of birth and I am told similar medication regimens. The scripts were re-written and given directly to Veteran B when they came to the clinic to ask about not receiving their medication scripts. The Privacy Officer currently possesses the miss mailed scripts with a letter from Veteran A describing the circumstance. Update: 07/27/12:Veteran B will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
After investigation it could not be determined exactly which clerk input the wrong address. I will be conducting a targeted educational presentation at the next quarterly HAS department mini-camp specifically regarding the necessity to always double check Names, SSN and DOB before sending or disclosing sensitive patient information.