A statement from Montgomery Obstetrics & Gynecology:
BLACKSBURG, Va., (October 31, 2014) – Montgomery Obstetrics & Gynecology (Montgomery OB-GYN) has notified patients of a breach of some personal patient-protected health information.
On Sept. 11, Montgomery OB-GYN learned that an individual obtained access to multiple patient charts and other medical records that were removed from the practice. The type of personal patient-protected information includes patient names, dates of birth, home addresses, medical information (in most instances limited to the purpose of a visit), and, in a limited number of instances, Social Security numbers.
Montgomery OB-GYN recovered all of the documents on Sept. 12. The practice has received no indication that the person in question improperly used the information.
The practice has sent letters to affected patients to notify them of a breach of some of their personal patient-protected information. The letters outline the type of information that was taken and recommend actions patients should take. As part of those recommendations, Montgomery OB-GYN is encouraging affected patients to check with their banks to prevent unauthorized access to personal accounts and to consider registering with credit monitoring services.
Montgomery OB-GYN takes the responsibility of safeguarding patients’ personal information very seriously. As a result of this breach the practice has already taken steps to further improve security of personal patient-protected health information. In addition, Montgomery OB-GYN is in the process of transferring to a password-protected electronic record system to safeguard personal information in an effort to ensure this breach was an isolated event.
Patients with questions or concerns may contact Montgomery OB-GYN office manager Wanda Hodge at (540) 951-1550, extension 121, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., or by writing to her at 826 Davis St., Blacksburg, Va., 24060. Information is available at http://mymontgomeryobgyn.com/.
h/t, WDBJ.