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.
Northwest Network (VISN 20)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on August 15, 2012. Also cited in 208 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000079216, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 20 Portland, OR
Issue:
Veteran A reported to the local Patient Advocate he received mail for Veteran B at his address. The Veterans addresses are correct in the record and an appointment for Veteran A was scheduled minutes before an appointment for Veteran B was cancelled. The Privacy Officer (PO) has spoken to Veteran A on the phone and he does not recall where he put the letter he received with his. He has been asked to mail it back to the facility if he locates it. The employee who made the appointment changes has indicated the mis-mailed letter would have been a cancellation letter with Veteran Bs name, last 4 of his SSN, full mailing address and the title of the clinic appointment that was cancelled. Update: 08/15/12:Veteran B will be sent a notification letter.
Outcome:
The employees who gave the wrong appointment letter to the Veteran in the clinic are aware of the error and will work to prevent this error from being repeated.