Baylor College of Medicine Department of Ophthalmology has been notified by Abbott Medical Optics that certain backup tapes of information from equipment utilized by the department of Ophthalmology were taken from AMO’s Malpitas, California location. AMO representatives reported that they do not know who took the backup tapes or when they were taken.
The information on the backup tapes was collected by AMO service representatives while providing maintenance checks to equipment used to measure eye contours of patients in preparation for Lasik surgery. The tapes were known to include only eye contour measurement charts, patient names, and the names of physicians. No other information was known to be included on the backup tapes such as the location of the patients or physicians or any demographic or other identifying information.Specifically, there were no Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, financial information, or any other information on the tapes.
Although Baylor College of Medicine believes that there is no risk of identity theft based upon the information provided by AMO, Texas law requires that we provide notice when we become aware of any unauthorized acquisition of computerized data that compromises the security, confidentiality, or integrity of sensitive personal information. Sensitive personal information includes information that identifies an individual and relates to the provision of health care.
We regret this unfortunate incident and are addressing patient information security and privacy with our vendors and service contractors to ensure that they are taking appropriate steps to protect Baylor College of Medicine information.
If you have any questions, please call the Baylor College of Medicine Office of Compliance, 713-798-2667, Monday through Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Source: Baylor College of Medicine