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 Healthcare System (VISN 10)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on May 10, 2011. Also cited in 119 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000062290, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 10 Cincinnati, OH
Issue:
A patient called a couple of days ago and stated she was going to come in today and pick up her written prescription. The nurse went to the waiting area and called out the patient's name. A lady walked up to the nurse and said she was the patient. The nurse asked her for the last four digits of her SSN. The lady gave her the patient's last four numbers and the nurse handed the written prescription to the individual. Patient called the nurse later in the day and said she still hadn't received her prescription. Update: 05/12/11:It has been confirmed that the person who picked up the prescription was not the patient. Due to full name, full SSN and prescription information being exposed, the patient will receive a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
VA Police unable to identify person from the surveillance cameras. Staff have been instructed to ask for ID before issuing prescriptions to patients.