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 Health Care Upstate New York (VISN 2)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on October 5, 2012. Also cited in 132 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000080922, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 02 Syracuse, NY
Issue:
Patient A and Patient B received each other's medications in erroor. The patients medications were switched while being wrapped for delivery. Both Patients take the same medication but received each others bottles but no paperwork from the other patient. This resulted in both's patient's name and medication information being inappropriately disclosed. All medication was returned and has been replaced. The error occurred while matching up multiple prescriptions for both people. Both employees involved have been counseled. New pharmacy automation and process may have contributed to the error. Update: 10/05/12:Veteran A and B will be sent a notification letter.
Outcome:
Employees responsible for the error were educated by their Supervisor regarding the requirement to confirm 2 forms of patient identity before wrapping for mailing.