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 January 11, 2013. Also cited in 228 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000084541, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 18 Phoenix, AZ
Issue:
On 01/11/13 the Privacy Officer (PO) was notified by Pharmacy that Veteran B was provided three medications meant for Veteran A at discharge on 11/9/2012. Veteran A notified the Pharmacy of this occurrence on 1/10/2012. Medications were recovered from Veteran A on 11/10/2012 and from Veteran B today. Both sets of medications were refilled and reissued to each Veteran with clinical notification. Root cause investigation is in process by Pharmacy. However, both Veterans have similar last names. Further notification and investigation, pending. Update: 01/11/13:Veteran A will be sent a notification letter.
Outcome:
Staff was re-educated immediately. Pharmacy is changing staffing in the dispensing area and workload in response to this even. HIPAA notification letter drafted for Director to review, signed, mailed and sent 1/17/2013.