Breach, Data Security

Data on patients may be exposed after X-rays go missing

X-rays that also contained sensitive personal information belonging to California-based El Centro Regional Medical Center (ECRMC) patients have gone missing from a third-party vendor's warehouse.

How many victims? Unknown.

What type of personal information? Names, dates of birth, addresses, Social Security numbers, and other medical information.  

What happened? The X-rays were given to a contractor in charge of digitizing and destroying them. The files were not properly eradicated and have gone missing from the vendor's warehouse.

What was the response? ECRMC is offering free credit monitoring for affected patients. A hot line has been set up for anyone with questions regarding the incident.

Details: According to a release from the hospital, the missing documents include patient X-rays, the paper jackets containing the films, and additional medical information, such as diagnoses and health insurance numbers.

Source: www.kswt.com, KSWT News 13, Hospital offering free credit checks for missing medical records,” May 17, 2013.

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