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 New England Healthcare System (VISN 1)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on April 16, 2012. Also cited in 204 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000074222, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 01 Boston, MA
Issue:
Patient A was given a wristband with Patient B's information on it. Patient A was admitted and had the same last four digits of the SSN as Patient B. Update: 04/16/12:Patient B will be sent a letter offering credit protection services, as his full SSN was disclosed.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:
This was reported to Patient Safety. The Patient Safety Supervisor is interviewing the two employees responsible for the breach. The wristband was retrieved and the credit monitoring letter was sent to the patient who had his information improperly disclosed. Privacy and Security Training Certificates rwere equested by Privacy Officer (PO). The two employees responsible are being counseled by their supervisors.