ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Jan. 22, 2016 — Alaska Orthopedic Specialists has sent notification to all affected patients about a security incident involving information that was taken by a former non-physician employee. In March of 2015, Alaska Orthopedic Specialists, Inc., closed its medical practice in Anchorage, Alaska. In the course of closing the business later that year, the practice discovered that the former employee had sent copies of patient information to the employee’s personal email account without permission. The practice has taken steps to secure the return of all information.
All patients impacted by this incident have been sent notification and offered identity theft protection services. At this time, there is no evidence of disclosure or use of the information taken by the former employee. Patients of AOS who have questions about this security incident may call 877-919-9183 with questions.
This press release is in accordance with the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act. Alaska Orthopedic Specialists has notified the Department of Health and Human Services.
SOURCE: Alaska Orthopedic Specialists via PR Newswire
The incident was reported to HHS on November 19, 2015 as affecting 553 patients. I’d be curious to know how they discovered the former employee had done this, and when the employee had done this.