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.
South Central VA Health Care Network (VISN 16)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on March 20, 2012. Also cited in 317 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000073156, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 16 Muskogee, OK
Issue:
Employee A overheard Employee B and C discussing and reviewing a patients information who committed suicide this past weekend. Update: 03/26/12:The Information Security Officer (ISO) and Privacy Officer (PO) will be interviewing the employees to determine the specific information that was discussed, where it was discussed and if any information was disclosed to any individuals without a need to know. The ticket will be updated upon completion of the interviews.03/26/12:The Veteran's Next of Kin will be sent a notification letter due to Protected Health Information being disclosed in the waiting room where others without a need to know could overhear.
Outcome:
Supervisor will counsel employees regarding accessing Veteran records unless they have a need to know the information in the performance of their duties.