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 Southeast Network (VISN 7)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on February 28, 2011. Also cited in 225 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000058899, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 07 Columbia, SC
Issue:
On 2/26/2011, Veteran (employee) #1 received a reminder by mail of an upcoming NEURO EMG appointment. The Veteran (employee) was surprised to see that a second NEURO EMG appointment letter which was intended for another Veteran was included in the same envelope. On the morning of 2/28/2011, Veteran (employee) #1 presented the letters to the Privacy Officer for review. The NEURO EMG Supervisor was notified and a corrected NEURO EMG appointment letter was mailed to Veteran #2. The information disclosed: Full name, last four digits of the social security number, address, and the name of the clinic. Update: 03/01/11:The letter included Veteran #2's partial social security number and medical information. Veteran #2 will be sent a letter of notification.
Outcome:
Staff is being re-educated on the need to safeguard patient information.