DataBreaches.Net

Menu
  • About
  • Breach Notification Laws
  • Privacy Policy
  • Transparency Report
Menu

OCR should fine entities that close and just dump patient records

Posted on December 25, 2015 by Dissent

Seriously. How many times will see news reports of how medical practices closed their doors and just dumped patient records? Here’s another case this week, reported by WSFA in Alabama, who made great efforts to track down someone – anyone – who might be able to help identify the culprit (and yes, I use the word “culprit” with all its implications):

Medical records were found Monday in an open air dumpster behind a former medical clinic called AllMed on Eastchase Parkway near Minnie Brown Road in east Montgomery.

The records included prescriptions, lab results, names of patients and their birthdays — all considered Private (sic) Health Information under HIPAA privacy laws.

[…]

AllMed, which operated under the partnership name of Central Alabama Primary Care Specialists or CAPCS, closed its clinics without warning in July. The company has since filed for bankruptcy.

When the clinics suddenly closed in July, they posted a note on their door that said, in part:

All medical records of past visits at the AllMed clinics are safeguarded and will be available upon request. The phone number for such request will be available as soon as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.  

They have an interesting concept of “safeguarded,” it seems.

Read more on WSFA. And yes, I would really like to see OCR hand out a hefty monetary penalty for this type of thing. While there are some that might think that unreasonable or harsh – to fine an entity that went into bankruptcy – I think OCR needs to send a strong message that if you think you had financial problems before, wait until we go after for you for improperly safeguarding and discarding patient records.

Category: Commentaries and AnalysesExposureHealth DataPaperU.S.

Post navigation

← Costa Rica Government Website Hacked by Pro-ISIS Group
Massive breach affecting children’s info worldwide! →

Now more than ever

"Stand with Ukraine:" above raised hands. The illustration is in blue and yellow, the colors of Ukraine's flag.

Search

Browse by Categories

Recent Posts

  • AT&T gets preliminary approval for $177 million data breach settlement
  • Aflac notifies SEC of breach suspected to be work of Scattered Spider
  • Former JBLM soldier pleads guilty to attempting to share military secrets with China
  • No, the 16 billion credentials leak is not a new data breach — a wake-up call about fake news
  • Tonga’s health system hit by cyberattack (1)
  • Russia Expert Falls Prey to Elite Hackers Disguised as US Officials
  • Proposed class action settlement in In re Netgain Technology litigation
  • Qilin Offers “Call a lawyer” Button For Affiliates Attempting To Extort Ransoms From Victims Who Won’t Pay
  • Ireland’s Data Protection Commission publishes 2024 Annual Report
  • The headlines suggested Freedman Healthcare suffered a ransomware attack that affected patient data. The reality was quite different.

No, You Can’t Buy a Post or an Interview

This site does not accept sponsored posts or link-back arrangements. Inquiries about either are ignored.

And despite what some trolls may try to claim: DataBreaches has never accepted even one dime to interview or report on anyone. Nor will DataBreaches ever pay anyone for data or to interview them.

Want to Get Our RSS Feed?

Grab it here:

https://databreaches.net/feed/

RSS Recent Posts on PogoWasRight.org

  • Privacy in the Big Sky State: Montana’s Consumer Privacy Law Gets Amended
  • UK Passes Data Use and Access Regulation Bill
  • Officials defend Liberal bill that would force hospitals, banks, hotels to hand over data
  • US Judge Invalidates Biden Rule Protecting Privacy for Abortions
  • DOJ’s Data Security Program: Key Compliance Considerations for Impacted Entities
  • 23andMe fined £2.31 million for failing to protect UK users’ genetic data
  • DOJ Seeks More Time on Tower Dumps

Have a News Tip?

Email: Tips[at]DataBreaches.net

Signal: +1 516-776-7756

Contact Me

Email: info[at]databreaches.net

Mastodon: Infosec.Exchange/@PogoWasRight

Signal: +1 516-776-7756

DMCA Concern: dmca[at]databreaches.net
© 2009 – 2025 DataBreaches.net and DataBreaches LLC. All rights reserved.