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 Southwest Health Care Network (VISN 18)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on February 6, 2013. Also cited in 228 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000085531, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 18 Phoenix, AZ
Issue:
On Monday, 2/4/2013, it was reported to the Privacy Officer (PO) by a Human Resource Specialist that he had mislaid employee documents. This had initially occurred when e-QIP documents for two physicians were faxed to him. On January 2, 2013, they were not found. The Research Department delivered copies hand-carried duplicates again. After an office move by the HR Specialist, the documents could not be located on 2/4/2013, which he verbally reported to the PO. Mitigation discussion of secure email attachments. the PO requested a Report of Contact (ROC) to explain the extent of exposure, sample documents, recovery efforts, and identity of physicians. No report was provided; discussion with supervisor and reminder of timely reporting to HR Specialist on 2/5/2013. Today, 2/6/2013, the Research Recruiter reported the event to the PO. He and another research staff were the subjects of missing eQIP documents that were provided three times to HR. Data fields on the documents include Employee/Veteran first name, last name, home address, telephone number, and full SSN. Update: 02/06/13:Due to full SSN be exposed, two (2) Individuals will be sent letters offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
HR Technician was able to retrieve one set of documents but additional documents are outstanding. HR Chief provided and PO provided additional education regarding tracking and security of sensitive paper documents. Alternative document distribution cycle related to EQIP is in progress. Additional staffing is deployed to this area with long-term staffing changes. Investigation and correction actions concluded.