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 September 14, 2012. Also cited in 141 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000080185, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 21 San Francisco, CA
Issue:
On 09/14/12 at approximately 2:00 AM, Patient A was discharged from the Emergency Department and given a copy of the discharge instruction form that was entered and printed from another patient's chart. Therefore, the printed document contained Patient B's full name, SSN and DOB. Upon discovering the incident, the physician telephonically contacted Patient A and asked him to destroy the paper and a correct discharge instruction would be provided. The patient agreed to do as instructed. And, the physician will follow instructions to have the incorrect note retracted from the clinical record. Update: 09/17/12:Patient B will receive a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
Discussed with the provider (who self reported the incident as well as contacted the Veteran) and he will be more cautious in the future to prevent this type if incident from recurring. And, credit monitoring offered to the Veteran whose privacy was breached.