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 May 20, 2011. Also cited in 225 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000062811, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 07 Birmingham, AL
Issue:
On 05/20/11, the complainant received a copy of her physical therapy consult in the mail. The envelope was not sealed. Complainant states it appears that at one point in time, the envelope had been slightly sealed and it had come opened. The complainant will return the envelope and enclosed document to the Privacy Officer, via her local Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). The letter contained her name, full SSN, date of birth and diagnosis. Update: 05/20/11:The complainant will receive a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
Patient notified Privacy Officer on May 20, 2011 that she had received mail from the Physical Medicine service. The envelope was not properly sealed. Medical documents pertaining to the patient were inside which contained her full SSN and other pertinent medical information. The patient was asked to return the envelope to the Privacy Officer. The PO has not yet received the envelope. The Service has been provided education about properly sealing envelopes to ensure privacy of the documents. The notification/credit monitoring letter was sent on June 16, 2011. A redacted copy has been attached.