James Craven reports: As more seniors enter nursing homes, especially those with cognitive impairments, and depend on others for their basic needs and security, those who prey on them are always looking for access. Southington brothers James and Jamelle Byrd are the chief suspects in a scheme to take identification materials from patients at a…
Author: Dissent
Medical ID theft spreading; preparation and training prescribed
Maureen McKinney reports: Medical identity theft accounts for about 3 percent of the 9 million cases of identity theft that occur in the United States annually. But detection often proves difficult because consumers lack regular access to their medical information, and records containing false identity information spread fast and wide via electronic billing and payment…
AU: Investigation into medical files
A federal government office will investigate the management of disused medical files in South Australia after concerns were raised about a large number of private medical records at a rented home in Adelaide. The former doctor who lives at the house is mentally ill and is about to move out of the house. The landlord…
UK: Trusts fail to act on patient data loss
Steve Nowottny reports: NHS bosses are repeatedly failing to take action against staff who lose personal records, breach patient confidentiality or access patient records without authorisation, a Pulse investigation reveals. Findings obtained under the Freedom of Information Act from 47 PCTs, hospital trusts and NHS authorities show little or no action is being taken in…
Missing CDs contained CareFirst BCBS member data
According to a letter [pdf] sent to the Maryland Attorney General’s office by Elizabeth Shughrue, Privacy and Compliance Manager for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield: On July 18, 2008, the Privacy Office of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) was advised of a security breach by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association…
UK: Information on thousands of patients stolen (update)
Andrew Napier reports: A SAFE containing computer back-up tapes which hold personal information about thousands of patients registered at a Winchester has been stolen during a burglary. The safe – containing data on 15,396 patients -was taken in a raid on St Paul’s Surgery last Saturday. Hampshire Primary Care Trust has reassured patients that the…