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 October 18, 2012. Also cited in 225 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000081361, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 07 Columbia, SC
Issue:
Veteran A called the Dorn VA Medical Center Privacy Officer (PO)to inform the PO that her Mental Health records were inadvertently released to the opposing attorney. The Veteran filled out VA Form 10-5345 (Request For and Authorization To Release Medical Records) authorizing the release of her medical records to the opposing attorneys office. The Veteran documented on the VA Form 10-5345 "Do not release my Mental Health records." When the Release of Information (ROI) clerk processed the Veterans request, she apparently failed to review each note. As a result of this error, some Mental Health records were inadvertently released to the opposing attorney. The Chief of ROI typed a letter for the Veteran to present to her attorney regarding this incident. The information disclosed included Veteran A's full name, social security number, address, the providers name, and personal health information. Update: 10/18/12:One Veteran will be sent a letter of notification.
Outcome:
Staff has been re-educated on the need to safeguard patient information.