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 Southwest Health Care Network (VISN 18)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on September 27, 2011. Also cited in 228 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000067195, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 18 Phoenix, AZ
Issue:
PO from another VA reports that Contracting employee received medical records in an inner office envelope from our facility. This was directed to her department and delivered by facility mail staff. There were 11 pages of 1 medical record which were seen by the VA employee. The data was immediately reported by the PO and recovered. Initial investigational query indicates no Privacy envelope was utilized in addition to the Holy Joe envelope. Data recovered to be provided to facility of origin to track department/staff of origin further. Further notification and investigation pending. Update: 10/03/11:Since it is unknown who may have looked at the unsecured patient medical record in the inner office mail envelope, Patient A will receive a notification letter.
Outcome:
The Mailroom was notified to monitor anything unusual in this regard. The mailroom was NOT a contributing party. They do a fine job of continuous checks and returns of improper mail. At both facilities, the mailroom operated appropriately. It's a specific unknown user who sent this that we cannot target those needed remedial actions. Our other education methods have worked well which we will continue.