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 August 30, 2011. Also cited in 208 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000066242, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 20 Portland, OR
Issue:
A non-VA form completed by a VA Provider was mistakenly mailed to the incorrect Veteran. Veteran A, who received the form completed for Veteran B, discovered it in his mail over the weekend and promptly contacted the facility's Release of Information office about the error on Monday 8/29/11 and faxed them a copy of the document they received. Veteran A intends to hand carry the documents to the Release of Information office Tuesday morning to present to the Privacy Officer. A review of disclosures for Veteran A show that none of his records were sent to Veteran B or any others in connection with this error. Update: 08/30/11:Veteran B will be sent a letter offering credit protection services, due to full name and full SSN being exposed.
Outcome:
The employee who made the mailing mistake is aware of the error and has been counseled by his supervisor to take more time to check the content of outgoing mail.