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 Southwest Health Care Network (VISN 18)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on June 10, 2011. Also cited in 228 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000063539, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 18 Albuquerque, NM
Issue:
A provider self-reported that she had called Patient A about a medication refill and did not check the last four numbers of the social security number before continuing the conversation. As the provider was reviewing the medication list with the patient, the patient suspected that something was wrong and reminded the provider that there was another patient with the same name. The provider was talking to the wrong patient. Patient B's information that was disclosed included his name, diagnosis and medications. Update: 06/10/11:Patient B will receive a letter of notification.
Outcome:
Privacy Officer has reminded provider and service chief of the need to properly verify the identity of the patient before discussing PHI to prevent this from happening again.