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 Southeast Network (VISN 7)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on May 10, 2011. Also cited in 225 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000062277, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 07 Columbia, SC
Issue:
Veteran A received his medication in a bag at the outpatient pharmacy window. He stood in the pharmacy lobby area reviewing the contents of the bag. He was surprised to find a prescription bottle that was intended for another Veteran included in his bag. Both Veterans have the same last name. Veteran A immediately returned the prescription bottle to the pick window. The Pharmacy Supervisor was notified. The information disclosed was Veteran B's full name, provider name, the name of the medication, and the instructions. Update: 05/10/11:Veteran B will be sent a notification letter.
Outcome:
The Supervisor discussed the error with the employees during her morning meeting, and the group was cautioned not to combine bags and to make sure that all batch stickers are properly scanned out at the pickup window. This issue has been reported to the Patient Safety Committee for review. The Privacy Officer is still investigating.