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 Mid South Healthcare Network (VISN 9)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on May 23, 2012. Also cited in 328 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000075933, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 09 Nashville, TN
Issue:
Veteran A called the medical center and reported that he recently had a medical test performed and when medical center mailed the results of that test, the letter belonged to that of Veteran B, who had the same medical test performed recently. Veteran A provided the name of Veteran B and then stated he would destroy the letter. The Privacy Officer is now attempting to contact Veteran B to determine if he received the correct test results letter. Update: 05/25/12:PO spoke to Veteran B and he in fact did receive the test results of Veteran A. For this incident, Veteran A received Veteran B's results and vice-versa. PHI included, full name, full SSN, DOB, address and some medical information.05/29/12:Two (2) Veterans will be sent letters offering credit protection services.
Outcome:
This was considered a human error when preparing letters/envelopes to be mailed Education has been provided to the employee involved. Also, PO worked with this area and they will now print letters without the SSN and have changed their template letter, so letters can now be mailed using a window envelope. Both Veterans have also now had their correct letter mailed to them. CM letters have been prepared and signed; we will mailed this date, 6/4/12.