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 Heart of Texas Health Care Network (VISN 17)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on January 6, 2012. Also cited in 122 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000070465, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 17 Harlingen, TX
Issue:
A female patient reported being inappropriately contacted via her cellular phone and received text messaging multiple times by a male VA employee. The patient allegedly reports that the VA employee accessed her medical record to obtain her personal phone number. The VA employee's supervisor and Administrative Officer of that facility met with the patient to discuss the issue and the patient was offered the opportunity to file a formal complaint. There is currently an ongoing VA Police investigation of the allegation against this employee. The Information Security Officer (ISO) is conducting a sensitive access report (SAR) audit. Update: 01/19/12:The VISN ISO was not able to perform a SAR as this medical record was not marked "sensitive" at the time the incident occurred. Since then, the medical record has been marked "sensitive" for future tracking. The VA employee has been placed on Authorized Absence until the investigation is completed by Human Resources (HR) and VA Police.02/02/12:Per the Chief of Police, the employee admitted to accessing the patient's record while he was not performing his official duties and obtaining her phone number. Therefore the patient will receive a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
The employee resigned.