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 October 23, 2012. Also cited in 208 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000081515, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 20 Portland, OR
Issue:
Veteran A requested a copy of a note from his VA Medical Record from a clinic clerk but the note provided was not his. The Veteran did not realize this until he presented it to a Veteran Service Officer he was working with. The note provided to him was written by the same VA provider, but came from the medical record of Veteran B who shares the same last name and similar last 4 digits of his SSN. Veteran A brought the note to the VA provider to report the mistake and turned over the document. The provider reported the incident to the Privacy Officer and is sending him the original for his investigation file. Update: 10/24/12:Veteran B will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
We believe the mistake was made because the other Veteran shares your same last name and your social security numbers end with similar digits. The employees working at the clinic where the note was printed have been notified of the mistake. They have been directed to double check documents they print before mailing or handing copies to the requestor to ensure they did not make a mistake while printing.