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 Healthcare - VISN 4 (VISN 4)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on April 15, 2013. Also cited in 239 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000087930, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 04 Butler, PA
Issue:
Patient A had a Primary Care physician appointment on April 12, 2013. VA staff gave the patient a copy of his lab work. Patient A was given a copy of Patient B's lab work. Patient A took the lab work to his private Primary Care Physician. The Primary Care Physician called the Release of Information (ROI) office to inform them of mistake. The ROI office made a copy of the incorrect lab work and destroyed original copy. Patient A as well as staff at the Private Physicians Office had access to the lab work. Update: 04/15/13:Veteran B will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.05/08/13:This was determined to be HITECH reportable by VHA Privacy Office.
Outcome:
SUPERVISOR OF AREA REMINDED STAFF TO CHECK WORK AND CHECK WHAT IS GIVEN OUT TO PATIENTS TO MAKE SURE THE INFORMATTON GIVEN OUT TO A PATIENT IS THEIR INFORMATION. EMPLOYEE THAT CAUSED THIS INCIDENT WAS GIVEN A WRITTEN COUNSELING. THERE WAS PREVIOUS PRIVACY INCIDENT INVOLVING THIS EMPLOYEE.