Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21)

Report ID: SPE000000065707, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Reported Entity: VISN 21 San Francisco, CA

Issue:

The facility received notice of an Office of Civil Rights complaint from the VHA Privacy Office. The Veteran alleges that SFVAMC impermissibly disclosed protected health information (PHI) to his insurance company's attorney, which was unrelated to his claim. The facility Privacy Officer (PO) was asked to investigate the matter on 07/21/11. The information at risk included the Veteran's name, date of birth, full SSN and protected health information (PHI). Update: 08/15/11;The Veteran will receive a letter offering credit protection services.

Outcome:

The PO met with ROI Supervisor and ROI clerk to provide verbal counseling and training on this release. PO determined the release was accidental and no malice or ill-will was meant by the release. It was an honest oversight and mistake on the ROI clerk's part. Regional Counsel, ROI Supervisor and the PO have all spoken to the ROI clerk and provided counseling. ROI Supervisor provided additional training during the ROI clerk's monthly staff meeting and stressed the importance of processing ROI requests and if there any questions - they have the authority to seek clarification from the requester, or patient. If there are still questions, they need to ask the ROI Supervisor and/or Chief of Health Information Management (HIM). ROI clerk understood and attached is the memo stating verbal training was provided to the employee.Credit monitoring is offered to the patient. Associate Medical Center Director signed off on the letter 8/18/2011. The letter will be placed in the outgoing mail for pick up on 8/19/2011. A copy of the signed credit monitoring letter is attached.