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 Heartland Network (VISN 15)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on December 15, 2011. Also cited in 149 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000069700, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 15 Topeka, KS
Issue:
A veteran received their pre-appointment letter stapled to another veterans pre-appointment letter (both appointments at the same VAMC). The Veteran who received the wrong information returned the original documents. Information disclosed was full name, partial SSN, medical appointment information, and home address. Update: 12/16/11:One Veteran will be sent a letter of notification.
Outcome:
The manager in the department where error occurred has been notified and they have implemented a process of double-checking (quality assurance) of documents with the names on the documents with 2 individual staff personnel prior to appnt information being mailed. In addition, privacy & security protocols were reviewed with staff department.