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 Healthcare System (VISN 10)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on September 12, 2012. Also cited in 119 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000080059, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 10 Chillicothe, OH
Issue:
Four (4) patients' names and full SSNs were on forms sent to Cincinnati VAMC that Cincinnati reported they did not receive. The forms were sent with patient samples. The samples were received in Cincinnati in a cooler by a contract courier service on 09/08/12. Chillicothe lab staff reported that the forms were sent with the samples. Cincinnati lab staff reported that they did not receive any of the forms. Lab staff in both Chillicothe and Cincinnati checked the lab areas for possible misplacing of the forms, but the forms were not found. The missing forms were anatomic pathology requisitions that included biopsy or Gyn information, patient clinical history and preoperative diagnosis. Update: 09/12/12:Four (4) Veterans will be sent letters offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
Spoke with Lab Manager. No clear evidence can be shown establishing whether forms were actually mailed. Emphasized the need to leave a better document trail. Lab reported a change in procedure. Reports will now be mailed in the same container as the specimens, not separately as before. After attachments 269458 and 269460 are closed, request that ticket be closed.