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 April 29, 2011. Also cited in 208 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000061809, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 20 Portland, OR
Issue:
A spreadsheet containing medical information for 5 Veterans was found by a Veteran on the pavement just outside the back door of the medical center. The 3 page spreadsheet indicates it is intended for use by Physicians as a quick reference handoff tool. It appears to have been printed two nights ago on 04/27/11.The Veteran who found the spreadsheet stopped at a Nurses station, explained where it was found, then left the papers with the VA employees. The spreadsheet contain Veterans full name, medical information, and date of birth. Update: 05/02/11:The 5 Veterans will receive a letter of notification.
Outcome:
The provider who printed this copy of the spreadsheet could not be determined. The attending over that specialty office was to advise all who may be using this spreadsheet that this event had occurred and these documents must be disposed of in the secured recycle bin.