VA Mid South Healthcare Network (VISN 9)

Report ID: SPE000000061507, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Reported Entity: VISN 09 Nashville, TN

Issue:

A Registered Nurse was arrested for a possible DUI charge and during the search of the Nurse's purse, the Murfreesboro, Tennessee Police Department discovered approximately 30 partial patient armbands containing Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Local management has been notified to include VA Police. An Issue Brief is being prepared to provide to the VISN. VA Police have made incident reports to VA Integrated Operating Center and Office of Security and Law Enforcement. Local VA OIG was also notified since this incident occurred off-campus (not on VA grounds). The Privacy Officer is working with VA Police and VA OIG to retrieve armbands to determine what PII they contain. Update: 4/26/11 VA Police received from the VA OIG and provided the Privacy Officer a copy of the information that was listed on the armbands. The number of armbands totaled 31, however only 22 VA patients were involved, as some of the armbands were duplicate. PHI which was on the armbands was the Full Name and Full Social Security Number only. VA Police confirmed that all armbands involved are now in the possession of the VA OIG. The Nurse involved in this incident worked on an inpatient Ward and these Veterans either were or still are currently an inpatient on the Ward this Nurse was assigned to work. If OIG states it is not a conflict with the investigation, all 22 patients will be offered credit protection services.04/27/11:The VA Police confirmed with the OIG that it was ok to send credit monitoring letters to the Veterans involved. All 22 will be offered credit protection services.

Outcome:

The employee involved with this incident has been placed on authorized absence. OIG will be pursing criminal charges and Human Resources Service will take administrative action once the OIG report is completed.