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 May 29, 2012. Also cited in 130 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000076105, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 12 Madison, WI
Issue:
A Veteran requested through secure messaging (SM) a referral to a specialty clinic. Nurse case manager who responded via phone left a message with a family member who answered. This message consisted of the phone requirements Veteran would have to meet to qualify for care in that clinic and process if he did qualify. Veteran responded via SM that he felt message left with person who answered phone constituted a violation of HIPAA. Update: 05/29/12:The Veteran will be sent a notification letter.
Outcome:
Clinic staff have been reminded of the acceptable use of PHI in phone messages and re-educated on the use of patient sensitive information, ensuring that specific clinic information is not discussed unless the Veteran has authorized it.