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 March 1, 2012. Also cited in 228 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000072378, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 18 Phoenix, AZ
Issue:
The Trade Shop Supervisor reported to the Alternate Privacy Officer (PO) that he found patient documents on the ground of the VA parking lot today. The documents are three (3) pages of End-of-Shift reports for 17 patients. The reports contain Veteran names, full SSNs, admission diagnoses, and physician with latest vitals. These documents were in a student folder with her identity from an affiliated college program. The program is identified as a Nursing Assistant program. The event was reported to senior administration in charge of the nursing assistant program. Students are allowed to possess documents for their student experience. The documents are to be shredded after they are utilized, on campus. Senior Administration has alerted the coordinator for the college program. The facility expects appropriate disciplinary action to ensue by the college program. Further notification and investigation to ensue. Update: 03/02/12: Letters offering credit protection services will be sent to 17 Veterans.
Outcome:
Nursing program re-educated students. Privacy/security training obtained for student, who was up-to-date. Student involved in incident was dismissed from campus program by college. New student class re-instructed with disposal sites and prohibition of removal of sensitive materials. Credit monitoring offers sent to patients.