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 8, 2013. Also cited in 239 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000087669, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 04 Lebanon, PA
Issue:
A VA employee from the Janitorial Service came across patient identifiable information on a Veteran who expired at our medical center. A form was sitting on top of a trash can in an unattended area that is used as a loading dock for VA and non-VA staff. Information on the form included full name, full Social Security number, and date of birth along with funeral home information. The Veteran expired on 04/03/13 and the form was found around noon on 04/04/13. Update: 04/08/13:Veteran A's next of kin will be sent a next-of-kin notification letter.
Outcome:
Care Line supervisor discussed with the individual who accidentally left the personal patient identifiable information in the hallway.Staff was reminded on the importance of safeguarding the information. AMG