VA New England Healthcare System (VISN 1)

Report ID: SPE000000072844, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Reported Entity: VISN 01 Boston, MA

Issue:

Patient A was seen in a Clinic as Patient B and after the appointment went to travel and was paid as Patient B. Patient B was in the Clinic waiting to be seen and after two hours went to the desk where he was informed he was already seen and he went to travel where he learned that Patient A was also given his travel pay. Update: 03/15/12:Patient B will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.

Outcome:

Travel Service paid the correct patient for travel to the clinic. The Doctor that saw the wrong patient reported this and placed an addendum in the note. The correct patient was also seen and a note placed. Patient safety was notified and all personnel were counseled on the correct check in process. A police report was placed by the PO due to the allegation that the wrong patient signed the travel pay document and was paid for travel. The travel section and agent cashier will be counseled on proper ID checking procedure when processing and paying a patient for travel.

Related Reports:

2 other violations reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: SPE000000072818, SPE000000072846