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 Southeast Network (VISN 7)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on January 10, 2013. Also cited in 225 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000084492, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 07 Columbia, SC
Issue:
Veteran A contacted the Dorn VA Medical Center Hepatology Nurse Manager to notify her of a privacy violation. An unidentified female employee from the Dorn VAMC Hepatology Clinic contacted the Veterans home telephone number and spoke with the Veterans son. After Verifying the identity of the Veterans son, the female stated that she is calling to remind the Veteran of his scheduled appointment. The son asked the female employee "do he know where the scheduled appointment is?" The female said that the appointment was scheduled at the Hepatology Clinic as a result of a positive Hepatitis C test. When the Veteran returned home that evening, he was surprised when his son stated "Oh by the way, the Hepatology Clinic called to remind you of your scheduled Hepatology Clinic appointment on 1/9/2013, and also told me that you were scheduled this appointment, because of your positive Hepatitis C test results." The Veteran informed me that he had never discussed this diagnosis with his son until after this incident occurred. The Privacy Officer will investigate the incident and provide a response to the Veteran. The information disclosed: Personal Health Information. Update: 01/10/13:One Veteran will be sent a HIPAA notification letter.
Outcome:
Additional training and process improvements at the service line level have been put into practice to eliminate the re-occurrence of this situation.