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 Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (GLA)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on June 5, 2014. Also cited in 21 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000105034, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: LOS ANGELES CA - 691
Issue:
On 05/29/14, an RN took a patient roster home without permission, while Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL), and returned it on 05/30/14, after her supervisor found out and contacted her. The roster contained the name, partial SSN, and medical information on 81 patients.
Outcome:
06/06/14: The supervisor who reported the incident will be off until Tuesday. The Privacy Officer (PO) sent her an email. The PO will update the ticket when the supervisor responds. 06/10/14: This is what the PO received from the supervisor. 1. She initially said in passing, on 05/29/14 to another RN that she was "going to show this roster to her union representative." Prior to looking over the roster she was asking RN many questions regarding changed days of participants and updates. Of note, this RN has been out on Workmen's Comp from 03/04/14 - 04/21/14. She came back on 04/21/14 and worked through 04/21/14. She has been out on leave since 04/22/14. When she returned the rosters, as directed, on 05/30/14 she questioned the RN as to "if she told me. " She stated to the RN "it is still in the envelope, I didn't do anything with it. I wanted to know who the Veterans were that I have taken care of, I can't recall." 2. This was not an accident. She reported conflicting reasons ( as stated above) to the RN. 3. I believe she resides with her husband. 4. Unclear re: if rosters were secured at home. 5. The additional information was, primary and secondary diagnostic medical codes for each Veteran. 06/12/14: The Incident Resolution Service Team (IRST) determined that the 81 patients will receive a HIPAA letter of notification, since the roster was out of VA control for approximately 26 hours.