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 Mid South Healthcare Network (VISN 9)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on August 15, 2012. Also cited in 328 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000079196, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 09 Huntington, WV
Issue:
A patient created a medical power of attorney (MPOA) and named his sister as his representative. If she was "unable, unwilling or disqualified to serve", he named his adoptive son as his MPOA. A few days later, the adoptive son presented to the Release of Information (ROI) office with a new general power of attorney that was signed by the patient (although after we compared the signature with the one on earlier documents, it does not look the same) and notarized and named the adoptive son as the representative. The ROI clerk disclosed a progress note based on this document. Regional Counsel (RC) reviewed the document and stated that the original medical power of attorney should have been followed. Update: 08/15/12:Veteran A will be sent a notification letter.
Outcome:
Reminded staff to ensure proper authority exists before releasing PII/PHI.