Several healthcare providers have been affected by an unusual data breach at Waupaca, WI-based STAT Informatics Solutions, LLC. STAT provides secure medical records services to several healthcare providers which includes scanning paper files so they can be added to hospital medical record systems.
On March 3, 2020, a STAT facility in Lebanon, TN was hit by a tornado, which caused extensive damage to the building and some of the records stored in the facility. STAT notified all affected clients the same day, and representatives of those healthcare providers visited the site to assist with locating and securing medical records in the facility.
To limit the potential for unauthorized access, a tall fence was erected around the building while the medical records were located and secured. Two security guards were also posted on site 24/7 to prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing the building.
The majority of the medical records were found in the remnants of the building, but the records were determined to be unsalvageable and have now been securely destroyed.
While it is possible that unauthorized individuals may have viewed some paperwork relating to patients, no evidence has been uncovered to suggest that was the case and patients are not believed to be at risk of financial harm. Out of an abundance of caution, patients whose records were stored in the building are being notified by mail and will be offered complimentary credit monitoring services.
The medical records at the facility contained the following types of information: Full names, Social Security numbers, addresses, dates of birth, medical record numbers, account numbers, medical images, diagnoses, nursing and physician documentation, test results, medications, and other types of information typically found in medical records.
The following healthcare providers have confirmed they were affected by the incident.
- Bayfront Health Port Charlotte, FL
- Bayfront Health Punta Gorda, FL
- Commonwealth Health Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, PA (518 records)
- Commonwealth Health Moses Taylor Hospital, PA (1,905 records)
- Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, MO (1,619 records)
The post Patients Notified Medical Records Exposed at Tornado Hit Secure Medical Record Facility appeared first on HIPAA Journal.