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.
Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on October 14, 2011. Also cited in 141 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000067706, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 21 San Francisco, CA
Issue:
SFVAMC typically orders stains from Pathology, Inc. (reference laboratory) and the turnaround time is less than a week. On 10/13/11 HL, staff physician (pathologist) contacted Pathology, Inc. to follow up on an order and was told it had been returned to SFVAMC (via UPS) and we should have received the package by 10/07/11. Based on the UPS shipment log rhe order was shipped on 10/06/11 and arrived in SF, CA, on 10/07/11. The following are comments contained in the UPS shipment progress log: a. 10/07/11@11:56 a.m.: "Merchandise is missing. UPS will notify the sender with additional details. All merchandise missing, empty carton was discarded. UPS will notify the sender with details of the damage." b. 10/12/11@ 9:25 a.m.: "Damage reported. Damage claim under investigation." According to HL, Pathology, Inc. is conducting an investigation, as well. Update: 10/14/11:Even though it is not the fault of the VA, since the Patients full SSN was lost, the patient will receive a letter offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
The credit monitoring letter has been prepared and signed however we would like to know whether UPS should offer and/or pay for the credit monitoring since they were responsible for the package at the time it was unaccounted. Please note based on my 10/17/11 response, we now have the package but we can't guarantee the contents were not inappropriately accessed.