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 Heartland Network (VISN 15)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on July 6, 2011. Also cited in 149 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000064477, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 15 Kansas City, MO
Issue:
Veteran A called to report receiving a package of medication in the mail that he had not ordered. Veteran A is not getting medications from this medical center or being actively seen as a patient at this time. Veteran As name and correct address were on the outside of package. Veteran A was asked to open the package to relay the medication information. Veteran A verified that the label on the bottle had his name on it. By cross referencing the prescription number, it was found the medication was for Veteran B who has the exact same name but different last 4 digits of the SSN. Veteran A had not taken any medication from this package and was directed not to. Veteran A stated he was on the way back to the medical center to return the medication and the entire package to the Pharmacy. Update: 07/07/11:Veteran B will be sent a notification letter.NOTE: There were a total of 70 Mis-Mailed incidents this reporting period. Because of repetition, the other 69 are not included in this report, but are included in the "Mis-Mailed Incidents" count at the end of this report. In all incidents, Veterans will receive a notification letter and/or credit monitoring will be offered if appropriate.
Outcome:
Verification was made with the callers address and found that the same address and one of the three phone numbers listed was on the wrong patients profile. This address was changed by HAMR staff.