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 Healthcare - VISN 4 (VISN 4)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on March 28, 2013. Also cited in 239 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000087325, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 04 Lebanon, PA
Issue:
Privacy and Release of Information (ROI) regulations state that a VA health care facility can report a Veteran to the State Department of Motor Vehicles if the patient's driving would be a serious threat to the health and safety of the Veteran or public. Medical information can be provided to the Motor Vehicle Department but you must exclude any 38 USC 7332 information. VA provider requested the ROI staff to send medical information to the Department of Transportation. The ROI staff released the medical information INCLUDING 7332 information, which is a privacy violation. Update: 03/28/13:One Veteran will be sent a HIPAA notification letter.
Outcome:
Supervisor for the Release of Information department was reminded to review privacy regulations on sensitive information before releasing this type of information.