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 Mid South Healthcare Network (VISN 9)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on May 4, 2011. Also cited in 328 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000061993, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 09 Huntington, WV
Issue:
A VA employee accessed Patient A's record to gain contact information so he could send the Patient a personal text message. Patient A contacted the VA Police Service and reported the incident. The employee claims that he had been given permission by Patient B to look up her number so he could contact her (still inappropriate access) but that he had looked up the wrong Patient's record. The medical record contains patient A's name, full SSN, date of birth and protected health information. Update: 05/04/11:Due to the employee accessing a medical record without permission, Patient A will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
Employee reminded it is never appropriate to access a patient's chart unless information is needed to fulfill their job duties.