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 December 14, 2012. Also cited in 130 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000083706, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 12 Madison, WI
Issue:
Veteran called to let us know he had received the information of 3 other Veterans in the mail in addition to his own. He has the documentation and gave me the names of the other individuals. Investigation is proceeding into exactly what was sent, how this happened and how to prevent it in the future. Update: 12/14/12:Due to full SSN and medical information being disclosed, Three (3) Veterans will be sent letters offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
Patient letters were printed to a central location, then given to staff to put in envelopes for mailing. Staff member failed to separate documents for different Veterans which had all printed at or around the same time. Four letters were placed in one envelope and mailed to the Veteran name on top. Employees have been reminded to verify each document before providing it to a Veteran (both mailings and in person). Managers have been asked to review the process to determine a way to decrease user error or provide an audit process. The Veteran who received the additional documents plans to return them to the VA for destruction- new letters have been sent out to the Veterans whose information was mis-mailed.