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 Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on January 31, 2011. Also cited in 187 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000057660, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 06 Beckley, WV
Issue:
Veteran A was inadvertently provided Veteran B's diabetic testing kit RX at the Pharmacy window. The last names are the same and the first initial off the first name begins with the same letter. The busy Pharmacy technician, in error, provided the wrong RX bag. Veteran A called when he got home after he realized he had been provided the wrong RX. This RX will be returned to the Pharmacy tomorrow, Feb 1, 2011. Update: 01/31/11:Veteran B will be sent a letter of notification.
Outcome:
The RX (diabetic test kit) that was inadvertently issued to the wrong patient is now in possession of the Beckley VAMC Pharmacy. Please note that the veteran information that the Pharmacy prints on paperwork that accompanies prescriptions is only the Patient's full name and the patient's last four SSN. No other veteran information is printed, and no other veteran information accompanies issued prescriptions.There is a "double check" protocol in the Pharmacy already. The clerk was very busy at the time and simply made an error. Education has been provided and corrective action taken.