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 Mid South Healthcare Network (VISN 9)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on May 24, 2012. Also cited in 328 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000075980, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 09 Nashville, TN
Issue:
On 05/23/12, the Patient Safety Manager at the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS), received correspondence from Ben Venue Laboratories, Inc. regarding an adverse event report submitted to FDA by their company in response to a call from the Patient Safety Specialist, TVHS.Specifically, on 05/23/12, a male patient in the MICU (Nashville Campus) received a compounded bag of medication which caused his blood pressure to drop. An adverse event form was completed and forwarded to Patient Safety for investigation. On 05/24/12, the Patient Safety Specialist, TVHS, contacted Ben Venue Laboratories, Inc. to obtain product information regarding the medication involved in the adverse event. Per the correspondence, the Patient Safety Specialist, TVHS, provided the Veterans initials (first and last name), diagnosis, and unit location to Ben Venue Laboratories, Inc. Upon inquiry, it was found:It is unclear if TVHS purchases the medication in question from Ben Venue Laboratories, Inc. or has a business associate agreement/contract with this company which authorizes the disclosure of patient information for adverse event reporting purposes.The reporting of the adverse event to Ben Venue Laboratories, Inc. is not within the Patient Safety Specialists official duties. The Patient Safety Specialist acted on his own accord. Update: 05/24/12: One Veteran will be sent a letter of notification. 06/06/12: An appeal was filed. The DBCT reviewed the appeal but had additional questions. The additional questions were sent to the Privacy Officer (PO). 06/07/12: The PO requested that the DBCT disregard the request for appeal. TVHS did not have a contract with this company and did not purchase the medications from this company. The Patient Safety Specialist contacted a randomly selected manufacturer of this medication to obtain product information. The employee should have obtained a written authorization from the patient in question. The PO will send the HIPAA notification letter.
Outcome:
6/18/12 - Employee received a written counseling. HIPAA notification letter mailed. PO requests closure.