An investigation says the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs didn't violate privacy laws when it allowed medical aides to search patients' records on their cellphones.
The Oklahoman reports that Veterans Affairs requested the investigation after allegations that the practice could cost Oklahoma millions in federal funding.
Mark Gower is the state's chief information security officer. He wrote a memo that says the practice doesn't violate state or federal privacy laws.
Gower says an internet outage on July 25 prevented employees at VA centers in Norman and Lawton from accessing medical records. The agency granted employees the authority to use their smartphones. Gower says the access was secure and limited to a small number of employees.
VA officials also requested that U.S. Department of Health and Human Services investigate the issue.
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