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.
Northwest Network (VISN 20)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on March 14, 2011. Also cited in 208 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000059526, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 20 Seattle, WA
Issue:
An Information Technology (IT) employee found an electrocardiogram (ECG) report for Patient A on the canteen floor on March 14, 2011 at approximately 7:10 AM. The IT employee has the report in their office. The patient is in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU). Update: 03/14/11:The report included medical information and the full SSN of the patient. The paper document is not from the CPRS record (at least not in its current format). It has a hole punched in a manner typical of research records however the PO is unable to determine who is responsible for leaving the document in the canteen. Patient A will receive a letter offering credit protection services.NOTE: There were a total of 24 Mis-Handling incidents this reporting period. Because of repetition, the other 23 are not included in this report, but are included in the "Mis-Handling Incidents" count at the end of this report. In all incidents, Veterans will receive a notification letter and/or credit monitoring will be offered if appropriate.
Outcome:
Education was provided.