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.
Desert Pacific Healthcare Network (VISN 22)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on February 14, 2011. Also cited in 129 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000058337, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 22 Long Beach, CA
Issue:
On 02/11/11, the Alternate Privacy Officer (PO) received an anonymous phone call reporting a suspected unauthorized access to medical record for 2 deceased VA employees. The caller suspected someone was accessing the deceased VA employees' records without the appropriate authorization or the need to perform his/her job duty. Hence, the Alternate PO requested patient sensitivity access logs for the deceased individuals. Update: 02/14/11:The caller did not identify the individual who they suspected was accessing the deceased employees' records. The Privacy Officer received the access logs and is attempting to identify if anyone accessed the records inappropriately.02/22/11:The Privay Officer identified 24 staff members who accessed the records. She will be meeting with each one and asking for documentation on their access of the records. Some are on leave at this time.03/02/11:After further investigation, there were several unauthorized users who accessed the record. A letter of notification will be sent.
Outcome:
HIPAA notification letter is hand-delivered to the Next of Kin by the Associate Director. Appropriate action is taken by Human Resources Office. All evidences/documents are provided to Human Resources.