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.
Albany VA Medical Center: Samuel S. Stratton
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on January 5, 2015. Also cited in 28 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000113449, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: ALBANY NY - 528A8
Issue:
A Veteran employee suddenly passed away. Another employee who was friends with the deceased accessed the medical record due to his not believing that he had actually passed away. He was looking for notes in the computer to confirm this. During an internal sensitive review the Privacy Officer (PO) questioned the employee for the reason of his accessing this record. He told his supervisor that he did not have a job related reason. He was just shocked to hear of the death. The supervisor is aware.
Outcome:
01/05/15: The Incident Resolution Service Team has determined that Veteran A's Next of Kin (NOK) will be sent a NOK notification letter. 01/13/14: Appeal accepted this is was not a breach, was a policy violation. Employee was a close friend and was distraught and was checking to see if it was so.