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 Heart of Texas Health Care Network (VISN 17)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on September 13, 2011. Also cited in 122 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000066714, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 17 Harlingen, TX
Issue:
The Alternate Privacy Officer was conducting Privacy rounds and came across an unsecured office space containing multiple documents with unsecured protected health information (PHI) on the employee's desk, cabinet above her desk and table behind her desk. The documents contained the first and last names and full SSNs of eighteen (18) Veterans. Update: 09/13/11:Eighteen (18) Veterans will be sent letters offering credit protection services due to full name and full SSNs being exposed.NOTE: There were a total of 19 Mis-Handling incidents this reporting period. Because of repetition, the other 18 are not included in this report, but are included in the "Mis-Handling Incidents" count at the end of this report. In all incidents, Veterans will receive a notification letter and/or credit monitoring will be offered if appropriate.
Outcome:
The immediate supervisor and Department Chief both counseled the employee which included education, retraining and awareness plus re-signing of the Rules of Behavior agreement.