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…
Coalition Announces Joint Letter to Congress; New Support for Health IT Legislation
The Health IT Now! Coalition announced new support and momentum for health IT legislation in a press conference today on Capitol Hill, featuring former Representative Nancy Johnson and coalition members from around the country. With time running out to pass a bill before Congress adjourns for the elections, the coalition unveiled a joint letter to…
Hk: Patient data security proposals welcomed
The Hospital Authority will implement the Taskforce on Patient Data Security & Privacy’s 26 recommendations within two years to improve the protection of patient data. The authority appointed the taskforce in May following cases of lost electronic devices containing patient data. Releasing its review report today taskforce chairman Stephen Lau said the authority has room…
HSE laptop containing personal information stolen
The HSE is confirming that a laptop, blackberry phone and a data disk containing the personal information of more than 1,000 healthcare workers has been stolen. The Executive is apologising for the incident and has begun contacting those affected. In a statement, the HSE says the laptop, blackberry and data disk were stolen from the…