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 Health Care Upstate New York (VISN 2)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on February 15, 2011. Also cited in 132 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000058377, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 02 Syracuse, NY
Issue:
Patient A picked up three prescriptions that were intended for Patient B. The information on the medication labels and documents associated with the orders included the patient's name, address and medication information. No SSN or part of the SSN was included. The pick up occurred after hours at the inpatient window. The inpatient pharmacist who handed the wrong medications to Patient A did not request 2 identifiers from the patient to properly confirm the patient's identity as he was not aware of this requirement. The pharmacist has been counseled by the Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor on the required procedure to be followed at the pick up window to prevent future errors. Update: 02/15/11:Patient B will receive a notification letter.
Outcome:
The pharmacist has been counseled by the Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor on the required procedure to be followed at the pick up window to prevent future errors.