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 September 28, 2012. Also cited in 208 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000080634, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 20 Seattle, WA
Issue:
A Human Resource (HR) employee discovered five pieces of paper in a shrub near one of the buildings at the VA Puget Sound American Lake Hospital. It was an "Inpatient Religious Affiliations Listing by Ward," which is typically used by VA Chaplains when conducting their daily rounds. The listing contains the names of seventy-one (71) inpatients, their race, age, DOB, SSN, admission date/time, diagnoses, religion and room number. Update: 10/01/12:Seventy-one (71) patients will receive a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
The chaplain was made aware of the Privacy and Information Security policies by retaking their Privacy and Information Security awareness trainings as well as the HIPAA training. The Director of the Chaplain Service was reminded that his staff must report all privacy incidents within one hour of discovery.