Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records, 7395-7400 [2020-02477]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7395-7400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02477]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

ACTION: Notice of a modified system of records.

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SUMMARY: As required by the Privacy Act of 1974, notice is hereby given 
that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is amending the system of 
records entitled, ``Health Care Provider Credentialing and Privileging 
Records--VA'' (77VA10A4) as set forth in the Federal Register 80 FR 
36595. VA is amending the system of records by revising the System 
Number; Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System and Policies; 
and Practices for Retention and Disposal of Records. VA is republishing 
the system notice in its entirety.

DATES: Comments on the amendment of this system of records must be 
received no later than March 9, 2020. If no public comment is received 
during the period allowed for comment or unless otherwise published in 
the Federal Register by VA, the amended system will become effective 
March 9, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted through 
www.Regulations.gov; by mail or hand-delivery to Director, Regulation 
Policy and Management (00REG), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 
Vermont Ave. NW, Room 1064, Washington, DC 20420; or by fax to (202) 
273-9026 (not a toll-free number). Comments should indicate that they 
are submitted in response to ``Health Care Provider Credentialing and 
Privileging Records--VA''. Copies of comments received will be 
available for public inspection in the Office of Regulation Policy and 
Management, Room 1063B, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday (except holidays). Please call (202) 461-4902 for 
an appointment. (This is not a toll-free number.) In addition, comments 
may be viewed online at www.Regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Veterans Health Administration (VHA) 
Privacy Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave. NW, 
Washington, DC 20420, (704) 245-2492.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The System Number is being changed from 
(77VA10A4 to 77VA10E2E) to reflect the current organizational 
alignment.
    The Routine Uses of Records Maintained in the System is amending 
the language in Routine Use #8 which states that disclosure of the 
records to the DoJ is a use of the information contained in the records 
that is compatible with the purpose for which VA collected the records. 
VA may disclose records in this system of records in legal proceedings 
before a court or administrative body after determining that the 
disclosure of the records to the court or administrative body is a use 
of the information contained in the records that is compatible with the 
purpose for which VA collected the records. This routine use will now 
state that release of the records to the DoJ is limited to 
circumstances where relevant and necessary to the litigation. VA may 
disclose records in this system of records in legal proceedings before 
a court or administrative body after determining that release of the 
records to the court or administrative body is limited to circumstances 
where relevant and necessary to the litigation.
    Routine Use #22 has been amended by clarifying the language to 
state, ``VA may disclose any information or records to appropriate 
agencies, entities, and persons when (1) VA suspects or has confirmed 
that there has been a breach of the system of records; (2) VA has 
determined that as a result of the suspected or confirmed breach there 
is a risk to individuals, VA (including its information systems, 
programs, and operations), the Federal Government, or national 
security; and (3) the disclosure made to such agencies, entities, or 
persons is reasonably necessary to assist in connection with VA efforts 
to respond to the suspected or confirmed breach or to prevent, 
minimize, or remedy such harm.''
    Routine Use #25 which states, ``VA may disclose information to the 
Department of Defense (DoD) from the joint platform electronic 
credentialing system being shared with DoD for credentialing/
privileging purposes.'' VA needs the ability to disclose limited 
information concerning the health care provider's professional 
qualifications (professional education, training and current licensure/
certification status), professional employment history, and current 
clinical privileges.
    Routine use #26 is being added to state, ``VA may disclose 
information to a former VA employee or contractor, as well as the 
authorized representative of a current or former employee or contractor 
of VA, in connection with or in consideration of the reporting of:
    (a) Any payment for the benefit of the former VA employee or 
contractor that was made as the result of a settlement or judgment of a 
claim of medical malpractice, if an appropriate determination is made 
in accordance with Department policy that payment was related to 
substandard care, professional incompetence, or professional misconduct 
on the part of the individual;
    (b) A final decision which relates to possible incompetence or 
improper professional conduct that adversely affects the former 
employee's or contractor's clinical privileges for a period longer than 
30 days; or

[[Page 7396]]

    (c) The former employee's or contractor's surrender of clinical 
privileges or any restriction of such privileges while under 
investigation by the health care entity relating to possible 
incompetence or improper professional conduct to the National 
Practitioner Data Bank or the state licensing board in any state in 
which the individual is licensed, the VA facility is located, or an act 
or omission occurred upon which a medical malpractice claim was 
based.'' VA needs the ability to release medical record information to 
former employees for purposes of evidence files and Fair Hearing 
Process.
    Routine use #27 is being added to state, ``VA may disclose 
information to a former VA employee or contractor, as well as the 
authorized representative of a current or former employee or contractor 
of VA, in connection with or in consideration of reporting that the 
individual's professional health care activity so significantly failed 
to conform to generally accepted standards of professional medical 
practice as to raise reasonable concern for the health and safety of 
patients, to a Federal agency, a State or local government licensing 
board, or the Federation of State Medical Boards or a similar 
nongovernmental entity which maintains records concerning individuals' 
employment histories or concerning the issuance, retention, or 
revocation of licenses, certifications, or registration necessary to 
practice an occupation, profession, or specialty.'' VA needs the 
ability to release medical record information to former employees for 
purposes of evidence files and Fair Hearing Process.
    Routine use #28 is being added to state, ``VA may disclose 
information from this system of records to another Federal agency or 
Federal entity, when VA determines that information from this system of 
records is reasonably necessary to assist the recipient agency or 
entity in (1) responding to a suspected or confirmed breach or (2) 
preventing, minimizing, or remedying the risk of harm to individuals, 
the recipient agency or entity (including its information systems, 
programs, and operations), the Federal Government, or national 
security, resulting from a suspected or confirmed breach.''
    The Policies and Practices for Retention and Disposal of Records is 
being amended to include the merging of Service Level Files with the 
two-part Paper Credentialing and Privileging Records for VA Employees 
when a provider departs from VA (i.e., State Licensure Board Evidence 
Files, Exit Review Forms, Focused Professional Practice Evaluation 
(FPPE) and Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluations (OPPE) data 
collection). Exit Review forms, Service Level documentation, etc. must 
be maintained for 3 years after the individual separates and the files 
must be kept on site for 3 years. After the individual separates from 
VA employment or after reporting and retired to the Federal Records 
Center, they are maintained for 30 years and then destroyed.
    Signing Authority: The Senior Agency Official for Privacy, or 
designee, approved this document and authorized the undersigned to sign 
and submit the document to the Office of the Federal Register for 
publication electronically as an official document of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs. James P. Gfrerer, Assistant Secretary for Information 
and Technology and Chief Information Officer, Department of Veterans 
Affairs, approved this document on September 5, 2019 for publication.

    Dated: February 4, 2020.
Amy L. Rose,
Program Analyst VA Privacy Service, Department of Veterans Affairs.

SYSTEM NAME AND NUMBER:
    Health Care Provider Credentialing and Privileging Records-VA 
(77VA10E2E).

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:
    Unclassified.

SYSTEM LOCATION:
    Records are maintained at each Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 
health care facility. Address locations for VA facilities are listed in 
VA Appendix 1 biennial publication of VA system of records. In 
addition, information from these records or copies of records may be 
maintained at the Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue 
NW, Washington, DC 20420 and/or Veterans Integrated Service Network 
(VISN) Offices. Records for those health care providers who are 
contractors in a VA health care facility or to VA for the delivery of 
health care to veterans and are credentialed by the contractor in 
accordance with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) policy, where 
credentialing information is received by VHA facilities, it will be 
maintained in accordance with this notice and VHA policy. Electronic 
copies of records may be maintained by VHA Office of Quality, Safety 
and Value (OQSV), a component thereof, or a contractor or subcontractor 
of VHA/OQSV. Backup copies of the electronic data warehouse are 
maintained at off-site locations.

SYSTEM MANAGER(S):
    Official responsible for policies and procedures: Director, 
Credentialing and Privileging Program, Office of Quality, Safety and 
Value (OQSV), Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans 
Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420. The System 
Manager is Marianne Chick, Director of Medical Staff Affairs, 
[email protected], 919-474-3937. Officials maintaining the system: 
(1) The chief of staff at the VA health care facility where the 
provider made application, is employed, or otherwise utilized; (2) the 
credentialing coordinator of the VA health care facility for 
individuals who made application for employment or other utilization, 
or providers currently or previously employed or otherwise utilized at; 
(3) human resources management offices of the VA health care facility 
for individuals who made application for employment or other 
utilization, or providers currently or previously employed or otherwise 
utilized; (4) VA Central Office or at a VISN location; The electronic 
data will be maintained by VHA/OQSV, a component thereof, or a 
contractor or subcontractor of VHA/OQSV.

AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
    Title 38 U.S.C. 501(a) and section 7304(a)(2).

PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM:
    The information may be used for: Verifying the individual's 
credentials and qualifications for employment or utilization, 
appointment to the professional staff, and/or clinical privileges; 
advising prospective health care entity employers, health care 
professional licensing or monitoring bodies, the National Practioner 
Data Bank (NPDB), or similar entities or activities of individuals 
covered by this system; accreditation of a facility by an entity such 
as the Joint Commission; audits, reviews and investigations conducted 
by staff of the health care facility, the Veterans Integrated Service 
Network (VISN) Directors and Division Offices, VA Central Office, VHA 
program offices, and the VA Office of Inspector General; law 
enforcement investigations; quality assurance audits, reviews and 
investigations; personnel management and evaluations; employee ratings 
and performance evaluations; and, employee disciplinary or other 
adverse action, including discharge. The records and information may be 
used for statistical analysis, to produce various management reports, 
evaluate services, collection, distribution and utilization of 
resources, and provide clinical and

[[Page 7397]]

administrative support to patient medical care.

CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THIS SYSTEM:
    The records include information concerning health care providers 
currently or formerly employed or otherwise utilized by VHA and 
individuals who apply to VHA for employment and are considered for 
employment or appointment as health care providers. These records will 
include information concerning individuals who through a contractual or 
other agreement may be, or are, providing health care to VA patients. 
This may include, but is not limited to, audiologists, dentists, 
dietitians, expanded-function dental auxiliaries, licensed practical or 
vocational nurses, nuclear medicine technologists, nurse anesthetists, 
nurse practitioners, registered nurses, occupational therapists, 
optometrists, clinical pharmacists, licensed physical therapists, 
registered kinesiotherapists, physician assistants, physicians, 
podiatrists, psychologists, registered respiratory therapists, 
certified respiratory therapy technicians, diagnostic and therapeutic 
radiology technologists, social workers, and speech pathologists.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
    The records in the system consist of information related to:
    (1) The credentialing (the review and verification of an 
individual's qualifications for employment or utilization, which 
includes licensure, registration or certification, professional 
education and training, employment history, experience, appraisals of 
past performance, health status, etc.) of applicants who are considered 
for employment and/or appointment, for providing health services under 
a contract or other agreement, and/or for appointment to the 
professional staff at a VHA health care facility.
    (2) The privileging (the process of reviewing and granting or 
denying a provider's request for clinical privileges to provide medical 
or other patient care services, within well-defined limits, which are 
based on an individual's professional license, registration or 
certification, experience, training, competence, health status, 
ability, and clinical judgment) health care providers who are permitted 
by law and by the medical facility to provide patient care 
independently and individuals whose duties and responsibilities are 
determined to be beyond the normal scope of activities for their 
profession;
    (3) The periodic reappraisal of health care providers' professional 
credentials and the reevaluation of the clinical competence of 
providers who have been granted clinical privileges; and/or
    (4) Records generated as part or result of accessing and reporting 
to the NPDB, and the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB).
    The records may include individually identifiable information 
(e.g., name, date of birth, gender, Social Security number, national 
provider identification number and associated taxonomy codes, and/or 
other personal identification number), address information (e.g., home 
mailing address, home telephone number, email address, facsimile 
number), biometric data, information related to education and training 
(e.g., name of medical or professional school attended and date of 
graduation, name of training program, type of training, dates attended, 
and date of completion).
    The records may also include information related to: The 
individual's license, registration or certification by a State 
licensing board and/or national certifying body (e.g., license number, 
expiration date, name and address of issuing office, status including 
any actions taken by the issuing office or any disciplinary board to 
include previous or current restrictions, suspensions, limitations, or 
revocations); citizenship; honors and awards; type of appointment or 
utilization; service/product line; professional society membership; 
professional performance, experience, and judgment (e.g., documents 
reflecting work experience, appraisals of past and current performance 
and potential); educational qualifications (e.g., name and address of 
institution, level achieved, transcript, information related to 
continuing education); Drug Enforcement Administration and/or State 
controlled dangerous substance certification (e.g., current status, any 
revocations, suspensions, limitations, restrictions); information about 
mental and physical status; evaluation of clinical and/or technical 
skills; involvement in any administrative, professional or judicial 
proceedings, whether involving VA or not, in which professional 
malpractice on the individual's part is or was alleged; any actions, 
whether involving VA or not, which result in the limitation, reduction, 
revocation, or acceptance of surrender or restriction of the 
individual's clinical privileges; and, clinical performance information 
that is collected and used to support a determination of an 
individual's request for clinical privileges. Some information that is 
included in the record may be duplicated in an employee's official 
personnel folder.

RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES:
    Information in this system of records is provided by the applicant/
employee, or obtained from State licensing boards, Federation of State 
Medical Boards, National Council of State Boards of Nursing, National 
Practitioner Data Bank, professional societies, national certifying 
bodies, current or previous employers, other health care facilities and 
staff, references, educational institutions, medical schools, VA staff, 
patient, visitors, and VA patient medical records.

ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES 
OF USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES:
    1. A record from this system of records may be disclosed to any 
source from which additional information is requested (to the extent 
necessary and to identify the type of information requested), when 
necessary to obtain information relevant to a Department decision 
concerning the hiring or retention of an employee, the issuance or 
reappraisal of clinical privileges, the issuance of a security 
clearance, the conducting of a security or suitability investigation of 
an individual, the letting of a contract, the issuance of a license, 
grant, or other benefits; or in response to scarce or emergency needs 
of the Department or other entities when specific skills are required.
    2. A record from this system of records may be disclosed to an 
agency in the executive, legislative, or judicial branch, or the 
District of Columbia's Government in response to its request, or at the 
initiation of VA, information in connection with the hiring of an 
employee, appointment to the professional staff, the issuance of a 
security clearance, the conducting of a security or suitability 
investigation of an individual, the letting of a contract, the issuance 
of a license, grant, or other benefit by the agency, or the lawful 
statutory or administrative purpose of the agency to the extent that 
the information is relevant and necessary to the requesting agency's 
decision; or at the initiative of VA, to the extent the information is 
relevant and necessary to an investigative purpose of the agency.
    3. Disclosure may be made to a Congressional office from the record 
or an individual in response to an inquiry from the Congressional 
office made at the request of that individual.
    4. Disclosure may be made to NARA (National Archives and Records 
Administration) in records management

[[Page 7398]]

inspections conducted under authority of title 44 United States Code.
    5. Information from this system of records may be disclosed to a 
Federal agency or to a State or local government licensing board and/or 
to the Federation of State Medical Boards or a similar non-government 
entity which maintains records concerning individuals' employment 
histories or concerning the issuance, retention or revocation of 
licenses, certifications, or registration necessary to practice an 
occupation, profession or specialty, in order for the Department to 
obtain information relevant to a Department decision concerning the 
hiring, utilization, appointment, retention or termination of 
individuals covered by this system or to inform a Federal agency or 
licensing boards or the appropriate nongovernment entities about the 
health care practices of a currently employed, appointed, otherwise 
utilized, terminated, resigned, or retired health care employee or 
other individuals covered by this system whose professional health care 
activity so significantly failed to meet generally accepted standards 
of clinical practice as to raise reasonable concern for the safety of 
patients. These records may also be disclosed as part of an ongoing 
computer-matching program to accomplish these purposes.
    6. Information may be disclosed to non-Federal sector (i.e., State, 
or local governments) agencies, academic affiliates, organizations, 
boards, bureaus, or commissions (e.g., the Joint Commission). Such 
disclosures may be made only when: (1) The records are properly 
constituted in accordance with VA requirements; (2) the records are 
accurate, relevant, timely, and complete; and (3) the disclosure is in 
the best interest of the Government (e.g., to obtain accreditation or 
other approval rating). When cooperation with the non-Federal sector 
entity, through the exchange of individual records, directly benefits 
VA's completion of its mission, enhances personnel management 
functions, or increases the public confidence in VA's or the Federal 
Government's role in the community, then the Government's best 
interests are served. Further, only such information that is clearly 
relevant and necessary for accomplishing the intended uses of the 
information as certified by the receiving entity is to be furnished.
    7. Information may be disclosed to a State or national certifying 
body which has the authority to make decisions concerning the issuance, 
retention or revocation of licenses, certifications or registrations 
required to practice a health care profession, when requested in 
writing by an investigator or supervisory official of the licensing 
entity or national certifying body for the purpose of making a decision 
concerning the issuance, retention or revocation of the license, 
certification or registration of a named health care professional.
    8. VA may disclose information in this system of records to the 
Department of Justice (DoJ), either on VA's initiative or in response 
to DoJ's request for the information, after either VA or DoJ determines 
that such information is relevant to DoJ's representation of the United 
States or any of its components in legal proceedings before a court or 
adjudicative body, provided that, in each case, the agency also 
determines prior to disclosure that release of the records to the DoJ 
is limited to circumstances where relevant and necessary to the 
litigation. VA may disclose records in this system of records in legal 
proceedings before a court or administrative body after determining 
that release of the records to the court or administrative body is 
limited to circumstances where relevant and necessary to the 
litigation.
    9. Hiring, appointment, performance, or other personnel 
credentialing related information may be disclosed to any facility or 
agent with which there is, or there is proposed to be, an affiliation, 
sharing agreement, partnership, contract, or similar arrangement, where 
required for establishing, maintaining, or expanding any such 
relationship.
    10. Information concerning a health care provider's professional 
qualifications and clinical privileges may be disclosed to a VA 
patient, or the representative or guardian of a patient who due to 
physical or mental incapacity lacks sufficient understanding and/or 
legal capacity to make decisions concerning his/her medical care, who 
is receiving or contemplating receiving medical or other patient care 
services from the provider when the information is needed by the 
patient or the patient's representative or guardian in order to make a 
decision related to the initiation of treatment, continuation or 
discontinuation of treatment, or receiving a specific treatment that is 
proposed or planned by the provider. Disclosure will be limited to 
information concerning the health care provider's professional 
qualifications (professional education, training and current licensure/
certification status), professional employment history, and current 
clinical privileges.
    11. VA may disclose any information in this system, except the 
names and home addresses of veterans and their dependents, which is 
relevant to a suspected or reasonably imminent violation of law, 
whether civil, criminal or regulatory in nature and whether arising by 
general or program statute or by regulation, rule or order issued 
pursuant thereto, to a State, local or foreign agency charged with the 
responsibility of investigating or prosecuting such violation, or 
charged with enforcing or implementing the statute, regulation, rule or 
order. VA may also disclose the names and addresses of veterans and 
their dependents to a Federal agency charged with the responsibility of 
investigating or prosecuting civil, criminal or regulatory violations 
of law, or charged with enforcing or implementing the statute, 
regulation, rule or order issued pursuant thereto.
    12. To disclose to the Federal Labor Relations Authority (including 
its General Counsel) information related to the establishment of 
jurisdiction, the investigation and resolution of allegations of unfair 
labor practices, or information in connection with the resolution of 
exceptions to arbitration awards when a question of material fact is 
raised; to disclose information in matters properly before the Federal 
Service Impasses Panel, and to investigate representation petitions and 
conduct or supervise representation elections.
    13. To disclose to the VA-appointed representative of an employee 
all notices, determinations, decision, or other written communications 
issued to the employee in connection with an examination ordered by VA 
under fitness-for-duty examination procedures or Agency-filed 
disability retirement procedures.
    14. To disclose information to officials of the Merit Systems 
Protection Board, when requested in connection with appeals, special 
studies of the civil service and other merit systems, review of rules 
and regulations, investigation of alleged or possible prohibited 
personnel practices, and such other functions, promulgated in 5 U.S.C. 
1205 and 1206, or as may be authorized by law.
    15. To disclose information to the Equal Employment Opportunity 
Commission when requested in connection with investigations of alleged 
or possible discriminatory practices, examination of Federal 
affirmative employment programs, or the other functions of the 
Commission as authorized by law or regulation.
    16. To disclose the information listed in 5 U.S.C. 7114(b)(4) to 
officials of labor organizations recognized under 5 U.S.C., chapter 71 
when relevant and necessary to their duties of exclusive

[[Page 7399]]

representation concerning personnel policies, practices, and matters 
affecting working conditions.
    17. Identifying information in this system, including name, 
address, social security number and other information as is reasonably 
necessary to identify such individual, may be disclosed to the NPDB at 
the time of hiring, appointment, utilization, and/or clinical 
privileging/re-privileging of physicians, dentists and other health 
care practitioners, and other times as deemed necessary by VA, in order 
for VA to obtain information relevant to a Department decision 
concerning the hiring, appointment, utilization, privileging/re-
privileging, retention or termination of the individual.
    18. Relevant information from this system of records may be 
disclosed to the NPDB and/or State Licensing Board in the State(s) in 
which a practitioner is licensed, in which the VA facility is located, 
and/or in which an act or omission occurred upon which a medical 
malpractice claim was based when VA reports information concerning: (1) 
Any payment for the benefit of a physician, dentist, or other licensed 
health care practitioner which was made as the result of a settlement 
or judgment of a claim of medical malpractice if an appropriate 
determination is made in accordance with agency policy that payment was 
related to substandard care, professional incompetence or professional 
misconduct on the part of the individual; (2) a final decision which 
relates to possible incompetence or improper professional conduct that 
adversely affects the clinical privileges of a physician or dentist for 
a period longer than 30 days; or, (3) the acceptance of the surrender 
of clinical privileges or any restriction of such privileges by a 
physician or dentist either while under investigation by the health 
care entity relating to possible incompetence or improper professional 
conduct, or in return for not conducting such an investigation or 
proceeding. These records may also be disclosed as part of a computer-
matching program to accomplish these purposes.
    19. In response to a request about a specifically identified 
individual covered by this system from a prospective Federal or non-
Federal health care entity employer, the following information may be 
disclosed: (a) Relevant information concerning the individual's 
professional employment history including the clinical privileges held 
by the individual; (b) relevant information concerning a final decision 
that results in a voluntary or involuntary limitation, reduction or 
loss of clinical privileges; and (c) relevant information concerning 
any payment that is made in settlement (or partial settlement) of, or 
in satisfaction of a judgment in, a medical malpractice action or claim 
and, when through a peer review process that is undertaken pursuant to 
VA policy, negligence, professional incompetence, responsibility for 
improper care, and/or professional misconduct has been assigned to the 
individual.
    20. Disclosure may be made to any Federal, State, local, tribal or 
private entity in response to a request concerning a specific provider 
for the purposes of credentialing providers who provide health care at 
multiple sites or move between sites. Such disclosures may be made only 
when: (1) The records are properly constituted in accordance with VA 
requirements; (2) the records are accurate, relevant, timely, and 
complete; and (3) disclosure is in the best interests of the Government 
(i.e., to meet the requirements of contracts, sharing agreements, 
partnerships, etc.). When exchange of credentialing information through 
the exchange of individual records, directly benefits VA's completion 
of its mission, enhances public confidence in VA's or Federal 
Government's role in the delivery of health care, then the best 
interests of the Government are served.
    21. Disclosure may be made to individuals, organizations, private 
or public agencies, or other entities or individuals with whom VA has a 
contract or agreement to perform such services as VA may deem 
practicable for the purposes of laws administered by VA, in order for 
the contractor, subcontractor, public or private agency, or other 
entity or individual with whom VA has an agreement or contract to 
perform the services of the contract or agreement. This routine use 
includes disclosures by the individual or entity performing the service 
for VA to any secondary entity or individual to perform an activity 
that is necessary for individuals, organizations, private or public 
agencies, or other entities or individuals with whom VA has a contract 
or agreement to provide the service to VA.
    22. VA may disclose any information or records to appropriate 
agencies, entities, and persons when (1) VA suspects or has confirmed 
that there has been a breach of the system of records; (2) VA has 
determined that as a result of the suspected or confirmed breach there 
is a risk to individuals, VA (including its information systems, 
programs, and operations), the Federal Government, or national 
security; and (3) the disclosure made to such agencies, entities, or 
persons is reasonably necessary to assist in connection with VA efforts 
to respond to the suspected or confirmed breach or to prevent, 
minimize, or remedy such harm.
    23. Disclosure to other Federal agencies may be made to assist such 
agencies in preventing and detecting possible fraud or abuse by 
individuals in their operations and programs.
    24. VA may disclose information concerning a health care provider's 
professional qualification which may be published on publicly facing VA 
owned or managed internet websites. Information to be displayed include 
the name of provider, gender, name of professional school, post-
graduate training program, State of licensure, and board certification.
    25. VA may disclose information to DoD from the joint platform 
electronic credentialing system being shared with DoD for 
credentialing/privileging purposes.
    26. VA may disclose information to a former VA employee or 
contractor, as well as the authorized representative of a current or 
former employee or contractor of VA, in connection with or in 
consideration of the reporting of:
    (a) Any payment for the benefit of the former VA employee or 
contractor that was made as the result of a settlement or judgment of a 
claim of medical malpractice, if an appropriate determination is made 
in accordance with Department policy that payment was related to 
substandard care, professional incompetence, or professional misconduct 
on the part of the individual;
    (b) A final decision which relates to possible incompetence or 
improper professional conduct that adversely affects the former 
employee's or contractor's clinical privileges for a period longer than 
30 days; or (c) The former employee's or contractor's surrender of 
clinical privileges or any restriction of such privileges while under 
investigation by the health care entity relating to possible 
incompetence or improper professional conduct to the NPDB or the state 
licensing board in any state in which the individual is licensed, the 
VA facility is located, or an act or omission occurred upon which a 
medical malpractice claim was based.
    27. VA may disclose information to a former VA employee or 
contractor, as well as the authorized representative of a current or 
former employee or contractor of VA, in connection with or in 
consideration of reporting that the individual's professional health 
care activity so significantly failed to

[[Page 7400]]

conform to generally accepted standards of professional medical 
practice as to raise reasonable concern for the health and safety of 
patients, to a Federal agency, a State or local government licensing 
board, or the Federation of State Medical Boards or a similar 
nongovernmental entity which maintains records concerning individuals' 
employment histories or concerning the issuance, retention, or 
revocation of licenses, certifications, or registration necessary to 
practice an occupation, profession, or specialty.
    28. VA may disclose information from this system to another Federal 
agency or Federal entity, when VA determines that information from this 
system of records is reasonably necessary to assist the recipient 
agency or entity in (1) responding to a suspected or confirmed breach 
or (2) preventing, minimizing, or remedying the risk of harm to 
individuals, the recipient agency or entity (including its information 
systems, programs, and operations), the Federal Government, or national 
security, resulting from a suspected or confirmed breach.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORAGE OF RECORDS:
    Records are maintained on paper documents or in electronic format. 
Information included in the record may be stored on microfilm, magnetic 
tape or disk. Records are maintained at the employing VHA health care 
facility. If the individual transfers to another VHA health care 
facility, the record is transferred to the new location, if 
appropriate.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETRIEVAL OF RECORDS:
    Records are retrieved by the names and Social Security number or 
other assigned identifiers, e.g., the National Provider Identifier 
(NPI), of the individuals on whom they are maintained.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RETENTION AND DISPOSAL OF RECORDS:
    Paper records are retired to the VA Records Center and Vault (VA 
RC&V) 3 years after the individual separates from VA employment or when 
no longer utilized by VA (in some cases, records may be maintained at 
the facility for a longer period of time) and are destroyed 30 years 
after separation. Paper records for applicants who are not selected for 
VA employment or appointment are destroyed 2 years after non-selection 
or when no longer needed for reference, whichever is sooner. Electronic 
records are transferred to the Director, Credentialing and Privileging 
Program, Office of Quality, Safety and Value, VA Central Office, when 
the provider leaves the facility. Information stored on electronic 
storage media is maintained and disposed of in accordance with records 
disposition authority approved by the Archivist of the United States. 
The merge of Service Level Files with the two-part Paper Credentialing 
and Privileging Records for VA Employees when a provider departs from 
VA (i.e., State Licensure Board Evidence Files, Exit Review Forms, and 
Focused Professional Practice Evaluation (FPPE)/Ongoing Professional 
Practice Evaluations (OPPE) data collection). Exit Review forms, 
Service Level documentation etc. must be maintained for 3 years after 
the individual separates and the files must be kept on site for 3 
years. After the individual separates from VA employment or after 
reporting and retired to the Federal Records Center, they are 
maintained for 30 years and then destroyed.

ADMINISTRATIVE, TECHNICAL, AND PHYSICAL SAFEGUARDS:
    1. Access to VA working and storage areas in VA health care 
facilities is restricted to VA employees on a ``need to know'' basis; 
strict control measures are enforced to ensure that disclosure to these 
individuals is also based on this same principle. Generally, VA file 
areas are locked after normal duty hours and the health care facilities 
are protected from outside access by the Federal Protective Service or 
other security personnel.
    2. Access to computer room within the health care facilities is 
generally limited by appropriate locking devices and restricted to 
authorized VA employees and vendor personnel. Automated data processing 
peripheral devices are generally placed in secure areas (areas that are 
locked or have limited access) or are otherwise protected. Information 
in the Veterans Information Systems Technology Architecture (VistA) 
system may be accessed by authorized VA employees. Access to file 
information is controlled at two levels; the system recognizes 
authorized employees by a series of individually unique passwords/codes 
as a part of each data message, and the employees are limited to only 
that information in the file that is needed in the performance of their 
official duties.
    3. Access to records in VA Central Office and the VISN directors 
and division offices is only authorized to VA personnel on a ``need-to-
know'' basis. There is limited access to the building with visitor 
control by security personnel.
    4. The automated system is internet enabled and will conform to all 
applicable Federal Regulations concerning information security. The 
automated system is protected by a generalized security facility and by 
specific security techniques used within the application that accesses 
the data file and may include individually unique passwords/codes and 
may utilize Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) personal certificates. Both 
physical and system security measures will meet or exceed those 
required to provide an adequate level of protection for host systems. 
Access to file information is limited to only that information in the 
file that is needed in the performance of official duties. Access to 
computer rooms is restricted generally by appropriate locking devices 
to authorized operational personnel. Information submitted to the 
automated electronic system is afforded the same protections as the 
data that are maintained in the original files. Remote on-line access 
from other agencies to the data storage site is controlled in the same 
manner. Access to the electronic data is supported by encryption and 
the internet server is insulated by a firewall.

RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURE:
    Individuals seeking information regarding access to and contesting 
of records in this system may write, call or visit the VA facility 
location where they made application for employment or appointment, or 
are or were employed.

CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
    (See Record Access Procedures).

NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:
    Individuals who wish to determine whether this system of records 
contains information about them should contact the VA facility location 
at which they made application for employment or appointment or are or 
were employed.
    Inquiries should include the employee's full name, social security 
number, date of application for employment or appointment or dates of 
employment or appointment and return address.

EXEMPTIONS PROMULGATED FOR THE SYSTEM:
    None.

HISTORY:
    Last full publication provided in 80 FR 36596 dated Jun 25, 2015.

[FR Doc. 2020-02477 Filed 2-6-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P