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.
Veterans In Partnership (VISN 11)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on July 15, 2011. Also cited in 213 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000064741, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 11 Danville, IL
Issue:
A clinic was using a patient log book and this log book was lost today. Update: 07/18/11: The log book from Pulmonary Clinic had recordings from approximately November 2010 to the present. The information contained in the log book was the patient's last name, last four of SSN, date of Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) appointment and notation if the appointment was cancelled. It has been estimated that information for 450 patients is contained in the log book. The Privacy Officer (PO) has not been able to locate any waiver at this time. The 450 patients will receive a letter of notification. 08/02/11: The new total is 536 patients. The logbook has not been found after an exhaustive search. The facility PO is determining if any additional logbooks are being used. The total of 536 is an estimate based on the appointments from November 2010 to the date the logbook was lost. 08/04/11: The Privacy Officer estimates that the draft letters and press release will be ready for VACO approval by 08/08/11. 09/14/11: After duplicates have been removed the final number is 518. VACO has approved the press release and letters. 09/20/11: The notification letters were mailed today and the press release will be done on 09/22/11 There were 514 HIPPA notifications sent to Veterans, 2 HIPPA notifications sent to employees, and 2 Next-of-Kin notifications sent.
Outcome:
A full investigation was conducted. The log book process has been reviewed and revised. Staff were re-educated on the new policy and service managers are monitoring compliance.