VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6)

Report ID: SPE000000057113, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Reported Entity: VISN 06 Salem, VA

Issue:

Veteran had an appointment list after leaving appointment with primary care provider. Update: 01/14/11: PO states there weres eight names on the list. The list did not leave the facility and was returned to VA employee custody in less than one hour. UTD, we suspect the angry Veteran took the list from his provider\xe2\x80\x99s desk, along with educational material provided, as he left the appointment. He was contentious during entire visit and angry about being denied narcotics based on his narcotics contract. This occurred in Primary Care at this facility. There is no reason to believe the PII on the eight other Veterans\xe2\x80\x99 information was used or disclosed in any fashion in the short period of time the angry Veteran has possession of the single sheet of paper. When asked to return the list, he immediately complied. Eight (8) Veterans will receive a letter offering credit protection service since the full SSN was exposed. 01/26/11: An appeal was filed. The DBCT reviewed and denied the appeal based on the evidence submitted that the patient was in control of the document containing the PII, he was angry and there is no way to prove that he did not obtain a copy of the information by other means, such as by hand or by cell phone camera. Credit protection services are still required. 01/27/11: One veteran on the list was deceased. The family will receive a NOK letter.

Outcome:

Staff and Supervisors reminded of precautions to take and responsibility for timely reporting of incidents.