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 Health Care Upstate New York (VISN 2)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on February 13, 2013. Also cited in 132 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000085722, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 02 Syracuse, NY
Issue:
The Privacy Officer (PO) received a call from the Nurse Manager (NM) of 6 East today regarding a patient that they discharged this morning. NM stated that there was a privacy incident that occurred when a staff nurse was delivering Patient A's discharge instructions to him. He stated that the nurse was on her way to provide Patient A with his discharge instructions and was stopped by another patient sharing the room who needed immediate assistance. The nurse placed Patient A's discharge instructions face up on Patient B's table when stopping to assist him. Shortly after, Patient B picked up the discharge instructions and read that he was being discharged so questioned the nurse. The nurse explained that those were not his discharge instructions and immediately retrieved them from the patient. Patient A, having observed what occurred, reported to the NM that his privacy was breached as a result of his discharge instructions being seen by another patient. The NM stated that he explained to the patient that it was not intentional, rather an error made by the nurse when being interrupted to assist another patient. Per the NM, the patient stated that he understood it was an error but wanted to make sure the PO was made aware. The PO told the NM that because Patient A's personally identifiable information (PII) and protected health information (PHI) was exposed to another patient in error, she would have to log it as a privacy incident. It was also explained to the NM that it is understandable that errors occur that are sometimes unavoidable as in this case but that he needs to educate the nurse on simple things she can do, such as turn the paper over when setting it down, to avoid any inappropriate access, and is considered a reasonable safeguard when she is in the room attending the information. The NM stated he would follow up with the nurse regarding this. Update: 02/13/13:Patient A will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
Nurse Manager educated nurse on process of placing any patient paper documents face down when being interrupted to assist a patient as a reasonable safeguard.