There is a possibility the laptop contained documents with patients’ names, addresses, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, financial information and health information. Though the laptop was protected with a password and other security features, its hard drive was not encrypted.
After Coplin learned of the theft, its IT department immediately disabled the affected employee’s access to its networks to mitigate the risk of a breach, and the department continues to monitor the network. To date, no one has attempted to use the stolen laptop to access the hospital’s IT network, and the hospital has not received any notification from law enforcement or patients that their data had been misused.
Coplin is working with law enforcement to address the laptop incident, and based on the initial investigation, does not believe the thief stole the laptop with intent to exploit protected health information.
Becker’s Hospital Review reached out to Coplin Health Systems for comment. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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