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.
Veterans In Partnership (VISN 11)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on February 10, 2012. Also cited in 213 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000071687, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 11 Fort Wayne, IN
Issue:
An appointment letter was mailed to Veteran A with another envelope was attached to it. It appears the envelope was not sealed properly. No specific information is known at this time. The Privacy Officer (PO) is trying to reach the Veteran who received the letter. Update: 02/14/12:The PO has left messages with the Veteran to call, but PO has not heard back yet. The PO is trying to find out from the Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) if they know what type of letter was mailed to the Veteran.02/15/12:The PO just spoke with the Veteran who received the information in the mail. The other person's envelope that was stuck to his was totally sealed and he has put it in the mail to the Veteran. Veteran A received his reminder letter. His envelope was not sealed so someone could have pulled out his letter and read it. It had his full name which was on the envelope, the last 4 of his SSN in the letter, his appointment date and time and that it was at the CBOC.
Outcome:
The supervisor found this incident was due to operator error. He is in the process of writing a SOP and a training document on how to use the equipment properly. Each employee will be trained on the processes. A double check will also be established when letters come off the Letter Folder and Stuffer.