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 Health Care Upstate New York (VISN 2)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on August 24, 2011. Also cited in 132 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000066075, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 02 Syracuse, NY
Issue:
The Privacy Officer found an Ophthalmology Progress Note and a letter to the patient regarding his upcoming pre-operative clearance appointment in the eye clinic left out on a table in a conference room, which was unlocked and unattended. It is unknown how long the information was left there unsecured. An Ophthalmic Surgery book was left on the table with the note so it is anticipated that it was left there by a resident. The note contained the patient's full name, full SSN, date of birth, address, phone number, and medical diagnostic and procedure information. The patient progress note was retrieved by the Privacy Officer and placed in the shredding bin for proper disposal. The Eye Clinic Managers and Chief of Ophthalmology were notified of the issue and will re-educate the resident on the required privacy practices to safeguard sensitive patient information. Update: 08/24/11:Due to full SSN and medical information being at risk, Patient A will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
VA privacy policy was reviewed with all of the Residents at our Friday am meeting. In addition, the Resident Physician who inadvertently left the information in the conference room was counseled, and the Residency Program Director of Ophthalmology notified.