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 Healthcare - VISN 4 (VISN 4)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on April 8, 2011. Also cited in 239 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000060679, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 04 Coatesville, PA
Issue:
A VA employee who resigned on 03/18/11 and filled a complaint with the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), sent her complaint with a list of patients' information including last name, last 4 digits of the SSN, medications and diagnoses. This was then sent by the MSPB back to Coatesville VA Human Resources Department. At no time was anything redacted and the former employee still has the original. From the information gathered it appears the information was given to her by her supervisor unredacted. Also it is unknown who else she may have shared this information with. Update: 04/08/11:Fifteen patients' information was on the list. Those 15 patients will receive a letter of notification.
Outcome:
The Privacy Officer checked with Human Resources, the supervisor of the staff member who left and the doctor that signed the page containing the information and everyone denies that they gave the staff member a copy of the confidential information. I have not been able to contact the staff member but I did send a certified letter signed by the medical center director telling the staff member that she couldn't share or use the information unless it was redacted. I have not been notified that she received the letter as of today.