Jewish Hospital Public Notice
8/6/2010
A potential data breach was discovered at the Jewish Hospital Catheterization Lab following a burglary. Two password protected laptop computers were stolen from the department between Friday evening, July 16, 2010 and Monday morning, July 19, 2010. Jewish Hospital is profoundly sorry that this occurred.
The stolen laptops contained information on 2,089 patients. The patients affected by the potential breach were treated in the Jewish Hospital Catheterization Lab only, between June 2, 2009 and July 16, 2010. The information included: patient name, date of service, medical record number, patient account number, Social Security number, race, insurance carrier, address, phone number, sex, date of birth, patient allergies if any, and initial patient assessment information. We reported the theft to the Louisville Metro Police Department as soon as we became aware of it on July 19 and are continuing to work with the police as they conduct a thorough investigation.
The internal investigation included interviews with team members who work in the vandalized area and the review of video surveillance. The stolen laptops were secured to a desk with a locking device, and were also behind a locked door.
The hospital is committed to safeguarding patients’ sensitive personal information and took immediate steps to fortify the protective measures that were already in place. Efforts have continued to implement encryption software for all laptops, computers/hard drives and all other portable electronic devices.
In order to safeguard any potential damage and because protecting patients’ personal information is so important to us, the hospital has engaged Kroll Inc., the world’s leading risk consulting company, to offer those affected with its ID TheftSmart™ service for 12 months, at no cost. This service includes:
- Continuous Credit Monitoring – Monitoring alerts make you aware of key changes, using data from all three major national credit repositories, in your credit file that could indicate the kind of unauthorized activity commonly associated with identity theft and fraud. Your authorization is required.
- Enhanced Identity Theft Consultation and Restoration – Licensed Investigators who truly understand the problems surrounding identity theft, are available to listen, to answer your questions, and to offer their expertise regarding any concerns you may have. And should your name and credit be affected by this incident, your investigator will help restore your identity to pre-theft status.
Affected patients were mailed a letter. If you were treated in the Jewish Hospital Catheterization Lab between June 2, 2009 and July 16, 2010 and did not receive a letter, call 1-877-309-0187 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time) Monday through Friday.
If you would like to monitor your credit, take the following steps.
There are three major credit reporting bureaus. Their contact information is listed below. Contact at least one of the bureaus and place a fraud alert on your credit report. This can help prevent an identity thief from opening additional accounts in your name. As soon as the credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the other two bureaus will be notified automatically of the fraud alert.
Equifax
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374
1-888-766-0008 or www.equifax.com
Experian
P. O. Box 2002
Allen, TX 75103
1-888-397-3742 or www.experian.com
TransUnion
Fraud Victim, Assistance Division
P. O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92834-6790
1-800-680-7289 or www.transunion.com
Order your credit reports. By establishing a fraud alert, you will receive a follow-up letter that will explain how you can receive a free copy of your credit report. You are entitled to receive a free credit report annually from each of the three credit bureaus free of charge. Space out your requests so that you receive one free credit report every four months. For example, request a report from Equifax immediately, a report from Experian four months from now and a report from TransUnion four months later. Examine each report closely and look for signs of fraud such as credit accounts that are not yours.
Continue to monitor your credit reports. Even if you place a fraud alert on your account, you should continue to monitor your credit reports to ensure that an imposter has not opened an account with your personal information.
Please know that your privacy is of the utmost importance to us. Jewish Hospital truly apologizes for any concern this may cause our patients. We are committed to our patients’ security and satisfaction by providing quality, reliable support services.
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