Privacy and Security

• MVP uses a unique numeric code for you and the information you provide us via surveys and your Electronic Health Record (EHR). We store the information using this code instead of your name. 
• Personally identifiable information (PII), like your name, address, social security number, or date of birth, is only available to a small group of MVP staff. It is not included when your information is used for research. 
• Blood samples are stored separately from other information (your survey data and health record data) and assigned a different code. The blood sample is sent to a VA central biorepository (see backside for more information) which does not have access to your identifiable information.

• Only VA-approved research projects are granted access to MVP data. 
• Information from your blood sample, survey responses, and health records is linked using a code in a way that does not identify you to researchers. This ensures that researchers with approved access to MVP information cannot identify you. 
• We do not disclose MVP participants’ data, including genetic information, to anyone outside of approved research projects. This means we will never share your information with health insurance companies, group health plans, or employers.

• All data storage and analysis occurs within VA-approved systems. No individual-level data leaves the system, and only summary data from research studies can be downloaded. 
• We protect the computers that hold your information with security programs (firewalls), encryption, and password protection. Our VA computing infrastructure meets VA IT Privacy and Security requirements.

• SHIPPING: All MVP blood samples are shipped to a VA central biorepository via next-day shipping. 
• SCANNING: Samples are received and scanned for tracking and processing. 
• PROCESSING: State-of-the-art robotic systems process the samples to prepare them for analysis and storage. 
• QUALITY CONTROL: We perform quality control on all blood samples, making sure they are high quality and can be included in research studies. If your sample does not pass quality control measures, MVP may contact you to ask for a new sample. 
• ANALYSIS: We process your blood sample to obtain DNA (genetic material) and prepare it for analysis. This is important so the sample can be turned into information that MVP researchers can use to better understand, prevent, and treat conditions and diseases that affect Veterans. Samples may also be used for additional analysis to look at other parts of the blood like proteins. 
• SAFE STORAGE: VA stores the samples safely and securely. Laboratory access is controlled and only VA-authorized staff are allowed access.