The discovery of a lost recording device has prompted Akron (Ohio) Children's Hospital to notify patients and their families of a potential data breach.
The hospital discovered the device containing backup transport voice recordings was missing June 30. The hospital started an investigation, which suggests the device was lost and not stolen.
A WKBN report indicates the incident affects 7,664 patient families.
The recordings on the device contained communication between dispatchers and medical staff at community hospitals, physician offices and Akron Children's emergency departments during patient transfers that occurred between Sept. 18, 2014 and June 3.
The records include some protected health information, including patient name, age, gender, birth date, medical record number, physician name, transfer time and the medical complaint.
The hospital has no evidence the records were misused or accessed.
"At this time we do not believe parents need to take any further actions," Grace Wakulchik, COO of Akron Children's Hospital, told WKBN. "To prevent similar incidents, we have taken steps to ensure all mobile devices are encrypted and we no longer store transport voice recordings on mobile devices."
More articles on data breaches:
3rd lawsuit filed against MIE after data hack: 5 things to know
Congressman calls for firing of OPM CIO following historic data breach
Lawrence General Hospital reports data breach due to missing thumb drive