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 December 16, 2011. Also cited in 225 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000069749, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 07 Birmingham, AL
Issue:
Veteran A received his Birmingham VAMC medical records via mail per his request. Mixed in his records were 8 pages of Veteran B's records (lab reports primarily). Veteran A brought the medical record copies that were not his to the Huntsville Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) and turned them into the clerk. The PO then received these copies. It appears the Release of Information (ROI) clerk inadvertently mixed another Veteran's records in to a mailed out ROI request. Veteran B's name, address, lab results and full SSN were compromised. Update: 12/19/11:Veteran B will receive a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
Employee was counseled about incident and required to re-take the Privacy and HIPAA training.