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 Great Lakes Health Care System (VISN 12)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on September 2, 2012. Also cited in 130 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000079794, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 12 Milwaukee, WI
Issue:
A PM nursing assistant found a list of 9A dietary snack supplements in the mens public restroom next to the elevator. The list contained 66 patients' name, room number and last 4 digits of the SSN. After speaking to a 9A employee who stated that no males were on duty for the day shift and because it was printed at 11:00 AM, the Information Security Officer (ISO) believes that the list must have been left by a dietary employee. The list is in the nursing supervisor's office. Update: 09/04/12:The list was turned over to the Privacy Officer (PO). The 66 patients will receive a HIPAA letter of notification.09/05/12:The ISO stopped by the nursing supervisor's office this morning. The list in question contained 66 patients' full name, last 4 digits of the SSN, room and bed number. This list was printed off at 10:30 AM and found at 9:34 PM in a public restroom on the 9th floor. At the request of the Privacy Officer (PO) this list has been turned over to him.
Outcome:
Notification Letters were sent out this morning. The Nursing Supervisor and the Supervisor of the Dietary employees were notified of this incident and will send out a reminder to all their employees about the importance of safeguarding sensitive information. In addition, a new procedure will be implemented for the dietary staff to help prevent this sort of incident from happening again.