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 New England Healthcare System (VISN 1)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on March 3, 2011. Also cited in 204 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000059079, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 01 Boston, MA
Issue:
Two vials of blood were drawn at the Boston VA and collected by an outside vendor for processing. VA was notified (by fax) 12 days after blood was drawn and collected that the tests could not be performed because the vials were missing and could not be located. The samples were lost in Chantilly, Virginia. Update: 03/03/11:Two (2) patients will receive a letter offering credit protection services since their DOB was exposed.
Outcome:
Requested modifications to the HIPAA Authorization and ICF. ALso requested that the PI review the labeling methodology on vials to exclude any PII.