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 July 18, 2012. Also cited in 225 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000078034, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 07 Decatur, GA
Issue:
A VA LPN found a patient's medication reconciliation sheet in the parking lot when she was leaving the clinic to go home. The sheet was locked away before the employee went home. There were no recent face to face visits by the patient at the clinic. However, the paperwork was clean/dry and it didnt have any footprints or tire marks on it which indicated it wasnt there long. It had been raining in the area that morning. Update: 07/19/12:This sheet is normally reviewed with the patient by the provider then given to the patient. This patient did not have an appointment on this day however. It was found in an area that is accessible to the general public. The Veteran will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
Document was retrieved by staff and back in VA control. Staff were reminded of privacy safeguard procedures, to check their pockets, not to remove PHI/PII from work areas.