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 Heart of Texas Health Care Network (VISN 17)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on March 1, 2013. Also cited in 122 other reports.
Report ID: PSETS0000086301, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 17 Harlingen, TX
Issue:
Veteran A came into clinic and 02/26/13 to pick up some copies of his medical records. One of the nurses had given him his copies to take to a local provider. Veteran A later came back for a copy for himself. Veteran A then came back stating that he had someone elses records. The Medical Support Assistant (MSA) working took the progress notes and shredded them immediately, then reported the incident to the MSA Supervisor. The next day Veteran A returned with the second set of the wrong medical records. The Veteran had taken them to his outside provider and the provider returned them to the Veteran, stated that they were not his records. Veteran A returned the records to the VA. The records contained Veteran B's full name, SSN and DOB along with medications and diagnoses codes and a recent procedure. Update: 03/13/13:Veteran B will receive a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
PO has mailed a Credit monitoring letter to the Veteran, also AO stated that Training will be conducted to stress the importance of verifying the Veteran before information is released and staff will request identification before releasing information. PO request that ticket 86301 be closed.