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 Heartland Network (VISN 15)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on December 14, 2011. Also cited in 149 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000069645, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 15 Topeka, KS
Issue:
Veteran A received claimant/demographic information of Veteran on B the DC (discharge) instructions after surgery. ROI (Release of Information) Department received a PACU packet from surgery with the last page being the Post Procedure Patient Teaching Surgery form (basically the discharge instructions that go to the patient). Upon discharge, Veteran A was provided the discharge instructions; unfortunately this form contained the identifying sticker for Veteran B. Stickers were corrected for the medical record.Once the error was identified, surgery made the call to Veteran A who hadnt realized the mistake; however, the information was retrieved and confirmed by the Veteran stating he did see the error (the other Veteran Bs sticker). Veteran A destroyed Veteran Bs information cutting it into tiny pieces rendering it unidentifiable. Update: 12/14/11:Due to full SSN and DOB being exposed, Veteran B will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
Action Plan: The manager in the department where error occurred has been notified and they have implemented a process of double-checking (quality assurance) of documents with the names on the documents with 2 individual staff . In addition, privacy & security protocols were reviewed with staff department.