A LAPTOP containing sensitive information about vulnerable Oldham adults with mental health problems has been stolen. Investigations are taking place to determine exactly what type of information was held on the computer, the number of records and their level of sensitivity. The computer was apparently taken from an Oldham Council manager’s car which was parked…
Category: Health Data
VA: Emergency room clerk pleads guilty to identity theft of patient
Tim McGlone reports: Authorities say they stopped a local identity theft ring involving an emergency room clerk who stole patient data, a civic league official who is accused of using his neighbors’ personal information and two car salesmen accused of orchestrating the scam. […] The scheme involved using personal information from unknowing individuals in order…
UK: Confidential patient data lost on Teesdale street
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…
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…
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…