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 October 9, 2012. Also cited in 129 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000080956, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 22 Las Vegas, NV
Issue:
Veteran reported that while taking a public bus a VA laboratory employee got on the bus and begin a conversation about having taken the Veteran's blood work, and then continued to speak with Veteran. Veteran feels her privacy information was disclosed to those on the bus, that she is a Veteran, seen at the VA, had a blood test, and what apartment complex she lives in as the VA employee stated she had a co-worker who also lived at that apartment complex. Veteran claims individuals from the bus has visited her with cakes because they know where she lives because of the VA employee. Update: 10/09/12:The Veteran will be sent a notification letter due to PHI and PII being disclosed.
Outcome:
Per the employee they meet at a bus stop, employee asked her where she knew her from, then she remembered and stated to the Veteran "at the VA," the employee claims she did not say it loud or say any additional information. Per the employee, the Veteran then followed the employee on the bus but was doing the talking, the employee states she knows better than to disclosure patient information. Unable to determine what exactly happened, what was said, and who said it. Conflicting accounts of the incident. Employee reminded by the Privacy Officer to avoid situations where patient information may be disclosed. Letter to Veteran apologizes for the incident. Letter uploaded and mailed on October 19, 2012.