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 March 13, 2013. Also cited in 225 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000086764, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 07 Decatur, GA
Issue:
A Patient's friend brought a bag of candy, intended for the Patient on a visit to one of the wards. The staff informed him that patients were not allowed to have food from the outside, so the bag of candy was labeled and kept at the nursing station while he visited. When the friend finished visiting, he requested the candy and staff handed it back to him, but did not remove the label on the bag. When the friend got home he noticed the label and called the facility and the Patient he had visited to report the disclosure. The label contained patient identifying information, the Patient's name, last four of social security number. Update: 03/14/13:The patient will receive a general letter of notification.
Outcome:
Nurse Manager has reviewed privacy and security policies with all Inpatient Psychiatry staff. They agree to check all items leaving the unit to make sure no patient information is attached items. Receiving certs for Privacy training.