Authorities are investigating the possible theft of a binder containing the names and dates of birth of more than 700 patients who received CT scans since May 2012 at Oberlin, Kansas-based Decatur Health Systems, according to Salinas Journal.
According to a press release issued by the hospital, police said the binder was stolen between 5 p.m. on July 22 and 7 a.m. on July 25.
Hospital employee Kris Mathews said the binder was kept to satisfy a hospital requirement that X-ray exposure levels be documented for each patient, according to the article.
Mr. Mathews said the hospital sent letters to each of the 707 individuals affected by the breach. The hospital also plans to follow up the letters with a phone call to former patients or to relatives of the deceased, according to the article.
Since the breach, Mr. Mathews said the hospital is changing the way patient information is recorded and that employees have received additional security training.