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 Southeast Network (VISN 7)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on August 1, 2012. Also cited in 225 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000078652, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 07 Charleston, SC
Issue:
An address change was called in and the wrong Veteran's address was changed. Medications were ordered and sent out to the wrong address. The Veteran who requested a prescription called seeking delivery status of the medication and that is when error was discovered. Update: 08/02/12:The Veteran's address was changed by Health Administration Services (HAS) staff. It has not yet been determined if anyting was mailed to the wrong address.08/06/12:The Veteran whose address was changed in error and whose medication was sent to the wrong residence has been provided medications and had his address corrected. The Pharmacy is awaiting the prescription to be returned that went to the wrong address. The Pharmacy provided the Veteran with a self-addressed stamped envelope to return item to the VAMC. The Pharmacist expects it back this week. The Privacy Offcier (PO) is awaiting the supervisor's response regarding employee who changed the address.
Outcome:
Manager of Centralized Scheduling Unit reviewed/discussed incident with staff members stressing the importance and significance of their actions. This unfortunate mistake could have resulted in serious injury (even death) if medication not prescribed was taken in error. On-going training is provided to all the centralized scheduling employees by the Lead Medical Support Assistants. Additional training will be provided on a case by case basis.Privacy Officer suggested address changes should be referred to Eligibility office and not processed over the phone. Proper documentation should be provided of new address. The Chief of HAS has been advised and will make the final determination regarding address changes.