Patients uneasy about possible security breach at UT Medical Center

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Patients at the University of Tennessee Medical Center are reacting to the news of a possible security breach of their records.


"I don't like it," said Rose Benton, who is a recent patient. Patient Carolyn Cook agrees: "I don't like it at all. I don't like the situation at all."

On Friday, the hospital announced that 8,000 patients' medical and identity information may have been compromised.

"My social security number of course, yeah. My medical history? I don't want anybody knowing my medical history. That's my business, you know," said Cook

http://www.volunteertv.com/health/headlines/UT_Medical_Center_sends_letters_regarding_privacy_incident_110865174.html

Identity theft ring breaches Holy Cross Hospital

November 11, 2010

By Bob LaMendola, Sun Sentinel

An identity theft ring managed to breach emergency room files at Holy Cross Hospital to steal Social Security numbers and personal details of about 1,500 patients, officials said Wednesday.

Emergency room employee Natashi Orr was among four people arrested as part of an investigation that began before June, U.S. postal inspectors and prosecutors said.

After federal agents uncovered the scheme, hospital technicians spent months tracking Orr's computer activity but cannot be sure which 1,500 patients she compromised while working there from April 2009 to September. That's when she was fired


http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2010-11-11/health/fl-hk-holy-cross-id-20101110_1_identity-theft-ring-patient-files-emergency-room

HHS: Laptop theft is No. 1 source of health data breaches

Laptop theft is the most prevalent cause of the breach of health information affecting more than 500 people, according to the Health & Human Services Department, which last year began tracking data breaches by public and private healthcare organizations.

The fact that laptops are so easily stolen underscores the importance of physical security in the protection of health information, according to Adam Greene, senior health IT and privacy specialist in HHS’ Office for Civil Rights, which enforces the privacy and security rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Of the 189 records of data breaches affecting more than 500 individuals in the first year, 52 percent were from theft. About 20 percent were from unauthorized access and disclosure of protected information, while 16 percent were from loss, he said Nov. 10 at the mHealth Summit conference.

http://www.fiercehealthit.com/story/hhs-laptop-theft-no-1-source-health-data-breaches/2010-11-15