VA Southeast Network (VISN 7)

Report ID: SPE000000076776, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Reported Entity: VISN 07 Birmingham, AL

Issue:

Patient A was in the Birmingham VA Medical Center (BVAMC) Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) yesterday for a scheduled appointment. That afternoon, after returning home, Patient A discovered that the Cumulative Lab Report and Medication Reconciliation Report that he had received from the doctor's nurse at the BVAMC CBOC were not his. The Cumulative Lab Report was for Patient B, and the Medication Reconciliation Report was for Patient C. Patient A agreed to bring the documents back to the BVAMC CBOC the next morning. When Patient A returned the documents, he stated that he had not discovered the error right away and had faxed the reports to a family member who was a physician who pointed out to Patient A that the documents were for two different patients (Patient B and Patient C). Patient A expressed concern regarding his documents being given to another patient and contacted a privacy protection agency called "Life Lock" trying to protect himself from the release of his personal information. Update: 06/18/12:Two Veterans will be sent letters offering credit protection services.

Outcome:

Documents were retrieved and employees were re-educated on processes and required to re-take the Privacy and Security Training. Credit monitoring letters were sent to Patients B and C.