Einstein Health Network, based in Philadelphia, has suffered a possible data breach after a website database was accidentally left accessible online, according to a Norristown Patch report.
Here are five things to know about the breach.
1. Einstein Health Network learned of the breach Feb. 2. The website database left accessible via the internet contained patient information that had been entered into the health system website's "Request for Information" form, according to the report.
2. The breach did not affect any information in Einstein Health Network's EHR. The breach was due to an inadvertent error, rather than hacking.
3. Approximately 3,000 patients were affected, according the report. These patients entered information into the health system's "Request for Information" portal prior to Feb. 2, according to the report. Potentially compromised information includes patient names, telephone numbers, reason for submitting request, health information and physician names.
4. After learning of the breach, the health system secured the website database and began an internal investigation.
5. Einstein Health Network sent letters to notify affected patients and set up a dedicated call center to handle any questions related to the incident, according to the report.