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 South Healthcare Network (VISN 9)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on November 25, 2011. Also cited in 328 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000069029, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 09 Nashville, TN
Issue:
A Veteran called the Privacy Officer to report that while he was an inpatient in September 2011, he stated he informed staff that the only person they were to release any information about him being an inpatient, is his niece who brought the Veteran to the Hospital. The Veteran stated that one of his sisters called and when they transferred her to the ward telephone, they came to this Veteran's room and got him to go to the telephone. The Veteran's other sister also called and she was told which Ward he was on and it was a Psychology Ward. Update: 11/28/11:This is a policy violation therefore, Veteran A will be sent a notification letter.
Outcome:
HIPAA Notification letter to be mailed to Veteran on 12/5 and is uploaded as an attachment. This incident occurred back in September 2011, so the PO could not determine who actually failed to offer this Veteran his Opt In/Out rights and who transferred the telephone calls to the Wards. The Opt In/Out process was already an issue the PO's have been working on. PO's are working with the Business Office to insure all involved employees with this process are adequately re-trained and understand the importance of this process. PO's have a scheduled meeting with the Chief, Business Office on 12/6 to further discuss this issue.