Duke University Health System reports data breach due to stolen thumb drive

A stolen thumb drive prompted Durham, N.C.-based Duke University Health System to notify patients of a potential data breach.

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According to a notice on DUHS’ website, an unencrypted thumb drive containing patient information was stolen from a DUHS administrative office July 1, 2014. The thumb drive contained spreadsheets with patients’ names, medical record numbers, physicians’ names and some Duke University Hospital locations visited. The spreadsheets did not contain Social Security numbers or clinical and financial information.

The compromised information affects certain patients of Duke Children’s Health Center and Lenox Baker Children’s Hospital who were treated from December 2013 to June 2014.

DUHS is working with law enforcement to conduct an investigation of the theft. As of yet, the health system reports there is no reason to believe the information has been used in any way, according to the notice.

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