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 February 1, 2012. Also cited in 228 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000071318, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 18 El Paso, TX
Issue:
Veteran Employee A reported that he had received the medication and medication label for Veteran B. The medication was mailed by the El Paso VAHCS Pharmacy to the address of Veteran employee A. The entire package and envelope was returned to the facility Privacy Officer (PO) and turned over to the Chief, Pharmacy for fact-finding and corrective action after initial facts determined and as provided by reporting Veteran employee. The data on the prescription and label included Veteran B's full name, prescription number, medication name, diagnosis, and mailing address. Update: 02/02/12:Veteran B will be sent a notification letter.
Outcome:
03/27/2012 Update: Responsible Supervisor for Pharmacy and Chief of Pharmacy Services documented facility fact findings regarding this issue as follows: Error occurred while Optifill was down, all Rxs were hand filled and hand checked with no bar code scanning in place.Corrective actions: The Pharmacy Outpatient Supervisor counseled all pharmacists, techs and volunteers preparing mail-outs to use extra caution to ensure patients' orders are separated when Optifill is down. The prescription mailing in error were resent to the appropriate patients. HIPAA notification letter to be sent to Veteran B regarding circumstances and corrective actions taken. Letter of thanks also to be provided - over Director's signature - to Veteran A (employee) who had reported incident and had turned in all original information and incorrect prescription. Redacted letter of notification for uploading to PSETS system as provided to Veteran B. Recommend ticket closure based on corrective actions and uploaded, redacted letter of notification provided to Veteran B whose prescription was mis-mailed. Submitted: JWinstead, Privacy Officer EPVAHCS