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 Southwest Health Care Network (VISN 18)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on January 21, 2011. Also cited in 228 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000057372, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 18 Tucson, AZ
Issue:
While seeing patients in clinic on 1/20/11, a patient told pharmacist that stapled to the back of his medication reconciliation handout was a letter to a different patient regarding an upcoming appointment. The patient received the handout upon checking in for his appointment, and had it while he was waiting to be seen. The letter contains the other patients full name, address and the last four numbers of his social security number. During the clinic visit, the pharmacist obtained the letter from the patient. Update: 01/21/11:Patient will receive a letter offering credit protection services since his DOB was exposed.
Outcome:
Since this type of error has occurred multiple times, the facility director has informed the supervisory staff and the Human Resources staff that each offense will result in an automatic reprimand. A letter to all employees was sent to inform them of the new process.