Muir Orthopaedic Specialists in Walnut Creek, California, notified 1,800 patients following the July 27 theft of records. The incident, reported to HHS, was also described on the group’s web site in a notice addressed to Dr. Moorthy’s surgical patients between August 2004 and July 2011:
On July 27, property of Muir Orthopaedic Specialists was stolen in Oakland, California. Included was a binder containing approximately 1,800 of Dr. Moorthy’s surgical patient labels from August 2004 to July 2011, along with their date of birth and medical record number. No social security numbers, patient contact information or medical history was included. Further, no information on which facility a patient attended was compromised thereby rendering the facility medical record number useless.
Though the group has no evidence that any of the information has been accessed or used inappropriately, please be assured that Muir Orthopaedic Specialists is taking the matter very seriously. Upon discovery of the theft, the group notified the Oakland Police Department and conducted a thorough internal investigation to determine what information was potentially exposed, and which patients the theft involves. Once this information was gathered, patient notification letters were sent.
Muir Orthopaedic Specialists has also notified the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of the theft and possible privacy breach.
To provide complete assistance to its patients, Muir Orthopaedic Specialists is providing those impacted with a complementary year subscription to an Experian identity protection service, which tracks all three credit agencies for fraudulent behavior. Additionally, the group is providing the following toll free number for those patients to contact should they have any questions or concerns: 1 (877) 371-7902.On behalf of Muir Orthopaedic Specialists, CEO KC Campion states: “We sincerely apologize for this incident, regret any inconvenience it may cause you, and encourage you to take advantage of the Experian membership. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter and/or the protections available to you, please do not hesitate to contact us.”