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 New England Healthcare System (VISN 1)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on July 17, 2012. Also cited in 204 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000077960, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 01 Bedford, MA
Issue:
The Mail Room staff dropped of a sealed envelope with a Bedford VA return address that was processed by the US Postal Service. The envelope had no addressee and was unopened. However, on the front of the envelope was the name of a research protocol (The use of prazosin for treatment of patients with alcohol dependence and post traumatic stress disorder), the veterans last name, last four SSN, and research ID number. I contacted the physician. She immediately recognized the envelope as a "break-the-blind" envelope that they use in case of a medical emergency for research subjects. Her research study staff confirmed that this envelope was provided to the hospitals admissions clerk who then was to place the envelope in a combination-locked safe in the Urgent Care area. Apparently, this envelope did not make it into the safe and was mistakenly picked up as regular mail. Research staff members, the Administrative Officer of the Day, and the Privacy Officer went to the safe and confirmed that all study envelopes are present and secure. As a follow-up to this incident, the research staff will now make sure that they visually see the envelop put into the safe when they drop it off with either the AOD or Admission staff. Update: 07/17/12:The Veteran will be sent a HIPAA notification letter due to PHI being exposed.
Outcome:
Research staff confirmed that this envelope was provided to the hospitals admissions clerk who then was to place the envelope in a combination-locked safe in the Urgent Care area. Apparently, this envelope did not make it into the safe and was mistakenly picked up as regular mail. Research staff members, the Administrative Officer of the Day, and the Privacy Officer went to the safe and confirmed that all study envelopes are present and secure. As a follow-up to this incident, the research staff will now make sure that they visually see the envelop put into the safe when they drop it off with either the AOD or Admission staff.