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.
Veterans In Partnership (VISN 11)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on May 29, 2012. Also cited in 213 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000076086, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 11 Battle Creek, MI
Issue:
At the conclusion of an appointment on 05/25/12 at 8:15 AM with Veteran A at the Grand Rapids Pharmacy Anticoagulation Clinic, a staff clinical pharmacist mistakenly gave Veteran A a 2-page appointment list, including the names of 13 Veterans, their full SSN and phone numbers - along with approximately 8 anticoagulation information/education sheets meant for the Veteran. Upon calling the next patient, the staff pharmacist found the appointment list missing, and immediately called the Veteran's cell phone. The Veteran had not left the outpatient clinic parking lot, and informed the clinical pharmacy technician to whom he personally returned the list, that he had not looked at any of the sheets given him. The elapsed time for the entire event was about 10 minutes. Process improvements to the handling of printed appointment lists have been initiated, and will be discussed with all clinical pharmacy specialists. Update: 05/29/12:Thirteen (13) Veterans will be sent letters offering credit protection services due to full SSN being exposed.
Outcome:
Credit monitoring letters have been sent to 13 Veterans impacted by this event. Provider has been educated on the importance of safeguarding paper copies that contain PHI.