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 8, 2012. Also cited in 204 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000072620, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 01 Boston, MA
Issue:
A patient reported sending a certified mailing to the VA and gave the Privacy Officer (PO) the USPS certified number. The PO investigated and found that a VA employee signed for the mailing on 02/21/12 at 8:29 AM and brought the mailing to the Fee Basis mailroom. A Fee Basis mailroom employee remembered receiving this mailing. The Fee Basis mailroom employee determined that this mail did not belong in Fee Basis and reported that he mailed it back to the patient within 48 hours of receiving it (on or around 02/23/12). The PO reported to the patient that the mail was returned to the patient's address. The patient has not received the returned package. Update: 03/07/12:One Veteran will be sent a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
PO talked and e-mailed with the Mailroom Supervisor and the internal area Supervisor of the Service that sent the mail "back." All personnel in each area will be retrained to take extra care and investigative steps to assure that all certified mail and any mail is delivered to the intended recipient. All areas have been placed on alert to search for the certified mail in the case it remains here at the VA. The patient is looking for the mail at his address and will report immediately if he receives it.