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 Southeast Network (VISN 7)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on December 16, 2011. Also cited in 225 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000069728, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 07 Dublin, GA
Issue:
A VA employee accessed a patient's record without a need to know: The VA employee stated there are many reasons that could be listed as to why an access would be found. There was an access on 12/22/09, 01/11/10 and 02/19/10. She stated she may have access the record during the holidays of 12/2009 because of his illness at the time as both she and the patient, who was employed here at the time, had the flu. These was impermissible accesses, but with no malicious intent. Additional training has been provided to this employee and she understands health records are not to be accessed for any reason eccept for treatment, payment, health care operations. Update: 12/16/11:The patient will receive a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
Employees have received appropriate training. Education concerning accessing Veterans records without a need to know provided. Employees retrained in privacy policy training with emphasis on record access. All appropriate information shared.