TEESDALE is at the centre of the latest data loss scandal after a memory stick containing information on hundreds of NHS mental health patients was found by a member of the public in a Barnard Castle street. The Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys Trust, whose jurisdiction Teesdale falls within, said the ‘serious breach of patient…
Author: Dissent
Brothers accused of stealing seniors' IDs
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…
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…