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 Heart of Texas Health Care Network (VISN 17)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on April 4, 2011. Also cited in 122 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000060393, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 17 Harlingen, TX
Issue:
Veteran patient wrote a fourteen (14) page complaint concerning his care and providers and requested this information be scanned into his Electronic Medical Record (EMR). Two months later, the Veteran submitted a Release of Information (ROI) request for this fourteen (14) page document. It was sent to the Veteran via UPS. A tracer was put on the package and on 3/29/11, UPS stated they are unable to locate the package. This information was sent to the Public Affairs Officer (who returned from government travel on 4/4/11) and forwarded the information to the Privacy Officer (PO). Update: 04/04/11: The Veteran will be sent a letter offering credit protection services. This was the fault of UPS, but it did include the SSN so VA will provide credit protection services.
Outcome:
VA was not at fault. Patient's wife picked up copy of ROI requested and lost by UPS. Credit monitoring letter sent to Veteran.