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 Southwest Health Care Network (VISN 18)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on January 24, 2012. Also cited in 228 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000070965, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 18 Phoenix, AZ
Issue:
On 01/24/12, a VA physician informed the Privacy Officer (PO) that Veteran A received a completed form for Veteran B in the mail. The physician had previously mailed completed forms to both Veterans. The physician is now calling Veteran B to determine if Veteran As completed form was mailed to Veteran B also. By physician recollection, considerable personal information was completed in the form including SSN. In addition to attempts to contact Veteran B, recovery of the documents is underway. Further actions pending document recovery. Further notification and investigation to ensue. Update: 02/02/12:Two Veterans will be sent letters offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
Documents recovered by physician and PO. Physician has counseled both parties with immediate appropriate credit protections. PO has done same for Veteran A. Physician has developed a new outgoing mail protocol which will be a double check that ensure mail is going to appropriate Veteran.