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 Great Lakes Health Care System (VISN 12)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on February 26, 2013. Also cited in 130 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000086133, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 12 Madison, WI
Issue:
A patient reported that following a same day surgery, his wristband was cut off by a hospital employee who then threw it into the regular garbage. The patient expressed concern that his name/SSN/DOB were not secure as it could have been picked up out of the garbage. Whereabouts of the wristband following its inclusion in regular garbage are unknown. Update: 02/26/13:Patient B will be sent a letter offering credit protection services due to name, SSN and DoB being disposed of insecurely.
Outcome:
We have re-educated staff on the importance of handling patient information in a secure manner. Staff members have been counseled on proper process for disposing of patient wristbands and the process and responsibility are being added to our facility policy on patient identification.