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.
Desert Pacific Healthcare Network (VISN 22)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on April 13, 2011. Also cited in 129 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000060903, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 22 Las Vegas, NV
Issue:
On 04/13/11, Patient A went to the lab to have work done and a VA employee discovered the ID card that Patient A had actually belonged to Patient B. It was determined that the cards were mixed up during the check in procedure in Radiology on 03/22/11. The VA employee confiscated the ID card from Patient A and took Patient A's picture for a replacement card. The VA employee called Patient B who confirmed that he had Patient A's ID card. Patient B agreed to shred it. The VA mailed Patient B's card back to him on 04/13/11. The personally identifiable information (PII) disclosed included Patient A's and Patient B's names. Update: 04/13/11:Due to SSN in barcode of the ID cards, Veteran A and B will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
Unable to determine which employee mixed up the ID cards; all employees in department reminded to be careful when giving back ID cards. Credit Monitoring letters mailed 4/18/11.