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 Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on September 7, 2012. Also cited in 187 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000079941, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 06 Salisbury, NC
Issue:
Veteran "A" was faxed Veteran "B's" medical records. The medical records were intended to be faxed to another facility. A staff member dialed the wrong fax number. Update: 09/07/12:Due to full SSN and medical information being exposed, Veteran B will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
Letter sent 9/24/12, the employee has be educated on properly faxing with the use of VHA Directive 6210, Automated Information System Security. to Verify the fax number prior to sending the fax and, in order to prevent misdialing, Ensure that a fax cover sheet with a confidentiality statement, instructions to notify the facility if received in error, is sent with all outgoing faxes. Notify the recipient before sending the fax in order to ensure that someone is present to receive the fax and that the fax machine is in a secure location. Review the fax confirmation slip to verify that the confidential information went to the proper destination number. If there has been an error, immediately contact the incorrect recipient and request return or destruction of the fax.