The theft of an unencrypted, password-protected computer from Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Ga., has compromised the information of 6,700 patients.
The computer went missing Nov. 6, 2013. Hospital officials noticed its absence the next day, and launched an investigation to determine its contents. The computer was found to contain the names, dates of birth, addresses, dates of service, physician's names, diagnosis information and in some instances, Social Security numbers, of the 6,700 patients, all treated at PPMH between May 2010 and October 2013.
The hospital is notifying affected patients, and offering a year of credit monitoring and call center support for those eligible.
"The privacy, security and safety of the Phoebe Putney community and the patient information it maintains are a top priority, said Audrey Pike, vice president, chief compliance officer and privacy officer at Phoebe Putney Health System, in a hospital-issued statement."The hospital has taken the necessary steps to reinforce and refine staff procedures to strengthen the protection of patient information."
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