Northwest Network (VISN 20)

Report ID: SPE000000073633, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Reported Entity: VISN 20 Seattle, WA

Issue:

Patient A found a folder containing the progress notes and medication lists for Patient B. The folder contained a social worker's business card with her contact information. Patient A handed the folder to the cashier, who then handed the folder to the Director of Pharmacy, who happened to be in the canteen at the time of the discovery. The Director of Pharmacy secured and delivered the folder to the Privacy Office immediately after the discovery in the canteen. The Privacy Office is investigating as to whether the folder belongs to the patient whose information the folder contains, or to the social worker whose card was stapled to the inside of the folder. The Social Work service line is investigating the incident, and will provide the Privacy Office with information pertaining to the incident, once their fact-finding is initiated and answers or responses become available. Update: 04/04/12:Patient B will be sent a letter offering credit protection services due to full name and full SSN being exposed.

Outcome:

VA staff responded expeditiously in reporting the incident to the Privacy Office, and ensuring that the PHI was secured shortly after the folder was discovered.

Related Reports:

1 other violation reported on the same date. Note that other citations may be about the same event: SPE000000073632