The following hospital data breaches were reported within the past month, beginning with the most recent.
1. University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Data Breach Exposes 7K Patient Records
The University of Arkansas Medical Sciences in Little Rock discovered a data breach that exposed information on 7,000 patients when a UAMS physician sent financial data to an individual outside of UAMS for an analysis of billing charges. The physician forgot to de-identify the information properly.
2. South Carolina Medicare, Medicaid Breach Affects 228K; Former HHS Employee Arrested
Approximately 228,435 Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries were victim to a security breach when former South Carolina HHS employee, Christopher Lykes Jr., allegedly transferred personal information to his email account.
3. 315K Hospital Patient Files Missing From Emory Healthcare
Emory Healthcare in Atlanta announced that 10 backup discs containing information on approximately 315,000 surgical patients went missing from a storage location at Emory University Hospital, also in Atlanta.
4. 100 North Shore–LIJ Patients Victimized by Identity Theft Ring
North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System in Great Neck, N.Y., announced approximately 100 patients from North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., were victimized by an identity theft ring that swept the Northeast.
5. Nearly 10K Patients Affected by Data Breach at Memorial Healthcare System in Florida
Memorial Healthcare System in Hollywood, Fla., announced that 9,500 patients may have been victim to a data breach when two former employees accessed patients' personal information, possibly intending to file fraudulent tax returns.
6. St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center Notifies Nearly 7K Patients of Data Breach
St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Brighton, Mass., a Boston-based Steward Health Care hospital, notified 6,831 patients that billing information, including credit card numbers and security codes, may have been compromised.
7. Utah Medicaid Data Breach Worsens; Nearly 182K Individuals Affected
The Utah Department of Technology Services and the Utah Department of Health announced a massive data breach affecting more than 700,000 individuals when hackers breached the department's computer server. Stole information included Social Security numbers for 280,000 individuals. The rest of the victims had less-sensitive personal information stolen.
8. More than 34K Patients Affected by Data Breach at D.C.'s Howard University Hospital
Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C., announced a potential disclosure of protected health information, including Social Security numbers, for 34,503 patients when a former contractor's personal laptop containing patient information was stolen.
HIMSS: Increased HIPAA Compliance Has Yet to Increase Data Security
Guidelines to Safeguard Healthcare Data, Avoid Loss
1. University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Data Breach Exposes 7K Patient Records
The University of Arkansas Medical Sciences in Little Rock discovered a data breach that exposed information on 7,000 patients when a UAMS physician sent financial data to an individual outside of UAMS for an analysis of billing charges. The physician forgot to de-identify the information properly.
2. South Carolina Medicare, Medicaid Breach Affects 228K; Former HHS Employee Arrested
Approximately 228,435 Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries were victim to a security breach when former South Carolina HHS employee, Christopher Lykes Jr., allegedly transferred personal information to his email account.
3. 315K Hospital Patient Files Missing From Emory Healthcare
Emory Healthcare in Atlanta announced that 10 backup discs containing information on approximately 315,000 surgical patients went missing from a storage location at Emory University Hospital, also in Atlanta.
4. 100 North Shore–LIJ Patients Victimized by Identity Theft Ring
North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System in Great Neck, N.Y., announced approximately 100 patients from North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, N.Y., were victimized by an identity theft ring that swept the Northeast.
5. Nearly 10K Patients Affected by Data Breach at Memorial Healthcare System in Florida
Memorial Healthcare System in Hollywood, Fla., announced that 9,500 patients may have been victim to a data breach when two former employees accessed patients' personal information, possibly intending to file fraudulent tax returns.
6. St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center Notifies Nearly 7K Patients of Data Breach
St. Elizabeth's Medical Center in Brighton, Mass., a Boston-based Steward Health Care hospital, notified 6,831 patients that billing information, including credit card numbers and security codes, may have been compromised.
7. Utah Medicaid Data Breach Worsens; Nearly 182K Individuals Affected
The Utah Department of Technology Services and the Utah Department of Health announced a massive data breach affecting more than 700,000 individuals when hackers breached the department's computer server. Stole information included Social Security numbers for 280,000 individuals. The rest of the victims had less-sensitive personal information stolen.
8. More than 34K Patients Affected by Data Breach at D.C.'s Howard University Hospital
Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C., announced a potential disclosure of protected health information, including Social Security numbers, for 34,503 patients when a former contractor's personal laptop containing patient information was stolen.
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Guidelines to Safeguard Healthcare Data, Avoid Loss