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-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on October 12, 2012. Also cited in 187 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000081087, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 06 Durham, NC
Issue:
Two patients were being discharged at the same time. Patient A was anxious to go home and was encouraging the staff to work faster. The discharge nurse gave Patient A the discharge instructions for Patient B. The incident was not discovered until the next day when Patient As girlfriend called the ward. Patient A was then given the correct discharge instructions and asked to return Patient Bs discharge instructions by mail. Patient A agreed. The instructions have not as yet been returned. According to the discharge nurse, Patient B received the correct discharge instructions. Patient B's name, full SSN and protected health information (PHI) were disclosed. Update: 10/12/12:Patient B will receive a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
Attempts have been to retrieve the discharge instructions to no avail at this time. Nursing staff have been reminded about the importance of checking all documents for each Veteran before handing discharge paperwork to the Veteran upon discharging from the hospital. Credit Monitoring Letter has been sent.