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.
Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on April 9, 2015. Also cited in 43 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000117850, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: COLUMBIA SC - 544
Issue:
A male Veteran presented for a scheduled Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam on 01/24/15. After signing into the C&P clinic, the male Veteran sat in the waiting room and waiting for the Doctor. C&P doctor walked into the waiting area and called the Veteran's last name. When the male Veteran heard the name he stood up and followed the doctor. A female Veteran also stood up and followed the doctor into the exam room. The Doctor told the male Veteran to sit on the exam table and then told the female Veteran to sit next to him on a chair. The Doctor began asking the female questions regarding her health. The female answered I lost control of my bowel movement on two or three occasions. After the questions ended, the Doctor told the male Veteran to switch seats with the female Veteran. The doctor continued to examine the female Veteran in the presence of the male Veteran. The Doctor told the female Veteran to take her jacket off and bend over. The female Veteran appeared to look embarrassed, but she continued to comply with the Doctors orders. According to the male Veteran, he thought this was odd, but was afraid to ask questions for fear of upsetting the Doctor. After the Doctor completed examining the female Veteran, he told her that she was free to go. After the female Veteran left the exam room the male Veteran continued to wait for the doctor to examine him. At this point the Doctor became very upset when he realized what occurred. The doctor assumed that the male Veteran was with the female Veteran.
Outcome:
04/13/15: The Incident Resolution Service Team has determined that the female Veteran will be sent a HIPAA notification letter due to Protected Health Information (PHI) being disclosed.