The following incidents were all added this past week to HHS’s public breach tool. Unfortunately, I can find no notices or documentation online to explain them: Specialty Clinics Of Georgia – Orthopaedics reported that 2,350 patients were affected by a breach on June 26, 2014 involving “Theft, Paper.” St John’s Episcopal Hospital in New York…
(Another) WINZ privacy blunder
John Cousins and Fritha Tagg report: Confidential documents detailing the mental health conditions of beneficiaries were given to a woman in a major privacy blunder. Waihi resident Tracy Hall says the documents, which contain the names, phone numbers and mental health details of dozens of Work and Income clients, were given to her in error….
Mississippi woman sentenced for role in stolen identity fraud case
This may be related to another prosecution previously noted on this blog, even though this defendant was not listed as one of the co-conspirators in that case: Ciara Gooden, age 24, of Jackson, was sentenced this week to 30 months for conspiracy to defraud the United States. Gooden previously pled guilty to her role in…
Santa Fe Family Health Center says patient information stolen (updated)
Bruce Krasnow reports: One of the busiest medical clinics in Santa Fe has reported a security breach affecting patients who were treated at Santa Fe Family Health Center during two weeks in July. The clinic, 2801 Rodeo Road, released a statement Friday afternoon saying the breach occurred July 14 for patients who had office visits…
Online service helps users learn and share their STD-status
Daniel Gaitan reports: People being tested for sexually transmitted diseases can now use their computers or iPhones to quickly get the results, and experts hope this easy access will make them more likely to honestly share their STD status with their partners. The new service, called Healthvana, allows patients access to their lab results once…
Emblem Health notified 802 GHI members of breach due to processing error
Group Health Incorporated (GHI), which merged into Emblem Health, recently reported to HHS that 802 insured members were affected by a breach involving paper records. In a statement dated August 21 on their web site, Emblem Health explains: EmblemHealth is notifying approximately 800 GHI members about a privacy breach that was discovered in July 2014. On July…