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.
South Central VA Health Care Network (VISN 16)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on April 30, 2013. Also cited in 317 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000088672, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 16 Houston, TX
Issue:
A research study coordinator in the process of retrieving the medications for one of the research participants discovered a medication bottle for another patient was missing. After searching it was discovered that two medication bottles for two different research participants were placed in the same bag. The labels on the bottle only had the Veteran's full name and medication name and dosage. The medication name and dosage was the same for both research participants. When both research participants showed up for their appointment on 4/26 they discovered one had two bottles of meds and did not even realize one bottle had another participant's name. No full or partial SSN on the label or any other PII. Update: 04/30/13:Veteran B will be sent a HIPAA notification letter due to Protected Health Information (PHI) being disclosed.05/16/13:This was determined to be non-HITECH reportable by VHA Privacy Office.
Outcome:
Copy of ticket provided to Research Compliance Officer for ORO notification and referral to IRB for appropriate action. Notification sent to Veteran.