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 Southeast Network (VISN 7)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on October 1, 2012. Also cited in 225 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000080696, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 07 Charleston, SC
Issue:
A provider in Charleston South Carolina printed out a needs assessment for 474 patients. There were 23 patients with the full SSN and 451 with last four digits of the SSN and full name. They were printed to the library printer at the Cheyenne Wyoming VAMC. Update: 10/02/12:The documents were printed on 09/27/12 and not found until 09/28/12 at close of business. It was printed on a network printer in the facility library in an area open to the public. The papers were moved from the printer and placed on a desk near the printer and turned over. At this point, the facility does not know who removed them from the printer. The papers were locked up once they were found and on Monday were delivered to the Information Security Officer (ISO). The investigation continues on how the documents were printed from the Charleston VAMC to the Cheyenne VAMC.10/09/12:The person who found the item on the printer cannot be identified. Twenty-three letters offering credit protection services will be mailed to the patients who had their full SSNs potentially compromised. HIPAA letters of notification will be sent to the other 451 patients.
Outcome:
The provider was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). The provider chose to retire on 10/31/12.