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 April 6, 2012. Also cited in 369 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000073792, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 08 Orlando, FL
Issue:
In addition his own test results, Veteran A also received Veteran B's test results in the same envelope. Veteran A notified the medical center about the mix-up. Veteran A will mail Veteran B's test results to the Privacy Officer, including the envelope. Information contained in the letter was Veteran B's last initial and last 4 SSN, home address, and a single line stating "Your recent blood tests were satisfactory." Indications are that the letter was "attached" to the other Vet's letter by the mailroom's Pitney-Bowes machine due to static cling associated with the batch job of letters being mailed at the time. Update: 04/06/12:Veteran B will receive a letter of notification.
Outcome:
Pitney-Bowes contractor personnel verified all machine settings--no adjustments required. Humidity levels within tolerances. Contractor advised mailroom personnel to flip/fan each stack of paper prior to processing as a means to dissipate any static buildup.