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 Healthcare - VISN 4 (VISN 4)
Mentioned in a privacy incident report created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on June 11, 2012. Also cited in 239 other reports.
Report ID: SPE000000076538, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Reported Entity: VISN 04 Altoona, PA
Issue:
Veteran A received Veteran B's medical records. Veteran A returned Veteran B's medical records to medical center eligibility staff. Update: 06/11/12:Veteran B is deceased, so their next-of-kin will be sent a notification letter. Veteran B's name, SSN, and medical information were included in the mis-mailed documents.NOTE: There were a total of 31 Mis-Mailed incidents this reporting period. Because of repetition, the other 30 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:
Veteran B's records were returned to the medical center by Veteran A.Veteran A's paper and electronic charts were reviewed and did not contain Veteran B's records.Veteran's B paper charts were received from the Federal Record Center and it was verified that they contain the correct records.Procedures are in place to have every document for release from the Release of Information department reviewed for quality assurance prior to disclosure.Release of Information staff were reminded to carefully review every document for accuracy prior to disclosure.