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 New England Healthcare System (VISN 1)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on January 24, 2012. Also cited in 204 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000070977, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 01 Bedford, MA
Issue:
Veteran A was mailed Veteran B's blood work results. Veteran A's fianc reported the incident to the Privacy Officer (PO). The PO requested that documents be mailed back to hospital. The PO sent out a return envelope to Veteran A's address. Update: 01/24/12:Veteran B will be sent a letter offering credit protection services due to full name and SSN being disclosed.
Outcome:
PO spoke with both Nurse Supervisor and PC Chief regarding the incident. PC Chief noted that lab tests results should be mailed using the template in CPRS, which automatically captures veterans address. Using this will help prevent another transcription error in the future. She also noted that if the lab results template letter in CPRS mailed using a VA window envelope, the veterans name and address on the letter will appear in the envelopes window. PO followed-up with nurse responsible for mis-mailing and communicated the importance of verifying address and/or using CPRS template to prevent this from happening again.