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 Sunshine Healthcare Network (VISN 8)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on November 2, 2011. Also cited in 369 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000068249, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 08 Gainesville, FL
Issue:
Veteran A reported receiving the medical records belonging to Veteran B by mail. The medical records contain individually identifiable health information, including Veteran B's name, date of birth, full SSN and diagnosis. Veteran A will returned mis-mailed records to VA. the facility Privacy Officer (PO) will investigate further. Update: 11/02/11:Due to full SSN being disclosed with the medical records, Veteran B will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
Service Chief reported he is unable to confirm how this inappropriate mailing occurred, who specifically made the error or even that the mailing originated from our Service. It is possible that the release could have originated from a clinical area within the hospital. Given the severity of the error, however, we are using this opportunity to provide additional training to our Release of Information personnel. Also the records were returned to the medical center by the Vteran that received them in error but they have not yet been located. We are continuing to search for them in all logical office locations.