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 August 23, 2012. Also cited in 228 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000079532, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 18 Phoenix, AZ
Issue:
On 8/23/2012 the Outpatient Pharmacy Supervisor notified Privacy Officer (PO) that a woman impersonated a Veterans mother. Earlier today, she picked up Veterans prescription for Bactrim, an antibiotic. She provided the Veterans name, street address, and DOB. It is not known if she also verified the last 4 of Veterans SSN. Later today, the Veteran attempted to pick up his prescription. He was surprised to find that this impersonation had occurred, resulting in prescription pick-up. Medication was refilled and dispensed to Veteran.Pharmacy Supervisor will be investigating the details of the womans prescription pickup. Limited information at this time until further interview with 2 pharmacy techs. Initial investigation did not indicate signature or ID presentation for womans receipt of Veteran medication.Further notification and investigation to ensue. Update: 08/24/12:Even though Veteran knows of the incident, Veteran A will be sent an official notification letter.
Outcome:
Pharmacy employee has been re-trained about how to check two separate patient identifiers at prescription pick-up by Pharmacy Supervisor. The training has been completed and random monitoring has shown correct procedure for medication pick-up.