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 Eastern Colorado Health Care System(ECHCS)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on May 24, 2013. Also cited in 47 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000089775, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: EASTERN COLORADO HCS - 554
Issue:
The privacy team at this facility was notified by email on 5/22/13 about two outpatient pharmacy mail out errors from the Outpatient Pharmacy Program Manager. It was reported that two separate pharmacy technicians mailed out medications to incorrect Veterans. For incident #1, one pharmacy technician mailed a medication to the wrong Veteran inadvertently. Veteran A received medications for Veteran B. The Outpatient Pharmacy Program Manager has stated that they have started a new process to try to minimize this type of error from occurring in the future. For incident #2, the second pharmacy technician mailed a package of medications to the wrong Veteran inadvertently. Veteran C received medications for Veteran D. The Outpatient Pharmacy Program Manager is still investigating how to prevent this type of error going forward. The privacy team is waiting to hear back from the Outpatient Pharmacy Program Manager on a few items 1. When did the incorrect Veterans receive the medications in the mail? 2. When and if the facility received the medications back from the incorrect Veterans?
Outcome:
05/24/2013: Veterans B and D will be sent HIPAA notification letters.