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.
Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on March 26, 2013. Also cited in 141 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000087249, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 21 San Francisco, CA
Issue:
A Clinical Research Assistant alerted Privacy on March 26, 2013 to findings from a 2010 VA audit. Twelve original informed consent forms and HIPAA authorization forms were discovered missing. Copies were scanned into the Medical Record, so the information was collected. Research feels that they may have inadvertently shredded the originals, but there is potential that the information has been compromised.Research has provided Privacy with the list of participants with potentially compromised information. It is important to note that four of the twelve research subjects are now deceased. Update: 03/27/13:Eight (8) Veterans will be sent letters offering credit protection services, and 4 Next of Kin Notifications will be sent.
Outcome:
Privacy has provided credit monitoring letters to applicable parties, and next-of-kin notification to the NOK of deceased participants. Privacy is providing HIPAA and Privacy training to research staff.