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 Southwest Health Care Network (VISN 18)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on July 29, 2011. Also cited in 228 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000065261, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 18 Albuquerque, NM
Issue:
An Office of Civil Rights (OCR) complaint was submitted by a former employee/patient of NMVAHCS regarding unauthorized and inappropriate access to medical records. The former employee alleged that a former coworker accessed his medical record without a need and used the information to discriminate against him. During the investigation the former coworker states that she did access the former employee's medical records because he "asked for my assistance several times while he was here. Since he was an employee here at that time I would not have gone into his chart without his permission with him present." Because he was an employee of NMVAHCS at the time and not receiving treatment from this NMVAHCS provider, this is a violation of the local privacy and security policies in place at NMVAHCS. Update: 08/01/11:The former employee will be sent a letter offering credit protection services, due to full name and full SSN being accessed without authorization.
Outcome:
Service Chief, ISO, and office of the facility director has been notified. The Service Chief of the violating employee is currently consulting with HR regarding sanction options available and more training.