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 April 22, 2011. Also cited in 130 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000061425, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 12 North Chicago, IL
Issue:
An active duty service member being separated from service states that his original service medical documents were lost during the compensation and pension (C&P) examination. Update: 04/22/11:The service member reported this to the Privacy officer (PO). The PO contacted the C&P supervisor. A search of all the physicians' offices was made, as well as the locked file room in that area. The record was not found. The PO contacted the physicians who examined the service member and they did not have the record. VBA also occupies the same area. VBA does not have the record, but has a copy. The PO was told the service member should have taken a copy to that area. The department head also has conducted a search. Both the C&P supervisor and department head informed the PO that they cannot verify that C&P ever had possession of his original medical record, and the patient told C&P he was unclear where he last had or saw his original record. VBA has a check-out log which does not contain an entry for his record. The facility has now implemented an additional step where a written receipt will be given when records are received.To be safe, the patient will receive a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
A written receipt will now be given to anyone who gives their medical record to the Special Medical Exam Unit.