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 September 13, 2012. Also cited in 328 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000080131, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 09 Nashville, TN
Issue:
Veteran As daughter contacted the Privacy Officer, Nashville Campus, regarding the following concern: On 09/07/12, Veteran A was seen in Pacemaker Clinic and Advance Heart Failure Clinic (Nashville Campus). Upon completion of the appointment, Veteran A was given paperwork to take home. On 09/11/12, Veteran A had an ambulatory procedure at Medical Center of Bowling Green. During the visit, an RN informed Veteran As daughter, the records provided by VA contained a document belonging to Veteran B. Privacy Officer (PO) spoke with the RN at Medical Center of Bowling Green and learned VA records on Veteran A were received from three sources: Rosewood Nursing Home (a contract facility), the local provider, and a VA Nurse Practitioner. Upon further inquiry, PO found both Veteran A and B are followed by this same VA Nurse Practioner (NP). PO spoke with the NP and confirmed: Rosewood Nursing Home contacted NP and requested she expedite faxing a copy of Veteran As records to their facility to assist with coordinating his ambulatory procedure NP was also working on Veteran Bs case that day NP pulled her copy of the fax and noted that Veteran Bs information was inadvertently included in Veteran As records which were faxed to Rosewood Nursing Home It appears Rosewood Nursing Home provided a copy of Veteran Bs note to Medical Center of Bowling Green. Veteran Bs personal identifiable information (PII) includes: A cardiology progress note which contains the full name, full SSN, DOB, diagnosis and lab results. Arrangements have been made for Veteran A to return Veteran Bs note to the PO. The NP will contact Rosewood and request Veteran Bs note be returned. PO will ask Veteran As daughter to contact the PO at Medical Center of Bowling Green to initiate removal of Veteran Bs note from Veteran As chart. Update: 09/13/13: Veteran B will be sent a letter offering credit protection services due to full name and SSN being disclosed.
Outcome:
NP will be educated on the importance of utilizing ROI for records request and checking documents for accuracy before mailing. 9/20/12 - NP was educated as indicated above. CM letter mailed.