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 Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on August 22, 2012. Also cited in 369 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000079444, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 08 Orlando, FL
Issue:
Veteran A received his appointment letter and a copy of Veteran B's appointment letter in the same envelope. Veteran A notified Telecare who directed him to mail the letter to the Privacy officer, which he did. Veteran B's letter contained her first & last name, mailing address, first initial of last name and last 4 SSN. No medical information was disclosed regarding appointment clinics. It appears this was the result of human error, and not a mechanical malfunction of the mailroom letter machine. Update: 08/22/12:Veteran B will receive a HIPAA letter of notification.
Outcome:
At the next team meeting this incident will be discuss and all members cautioned to crosscheck appointment letters before mailing, since this was a hand-stuffed envelope.