OKLAHOMA COMPUTER STOLEN http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=17&articleid=20110211_17_0_Acompu197135
Computer with patient information stolen from St. Francis
By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
Published: 2/11/2011 2:25 PM
Last Modified: 2/11/2011 4:38 PM
A computer containing diagnostic records, social security numbers and other information for 84,000 patients was stolen from a St. Francis health facility a few weeks ago, company officials said Friday.
The records were for patients treated before 2004, and anyone affected will be receiving a letter from the hospital in the next few days. All will be eligible for a free credit monitoring program that offers up to $1 million in protection and includes daily credit score monitoring, said Barry Steichen, chief administrative officer of Saint Francis Health System.
Officials have not heard any reports of identity theft and police speculate that the hardware may have been stolen for parts and the copper and gold it contains. The Broken Arrow Police Department is still investigating the burglary.
The large, mainframe computer system was stolen from an imaging center in what was formerly Broken Arrow Medical Center on Jan. 14. The computer was there in storage. Federal law mandates that medical records be kept for at least seven years, Steichen said.
The number of patients affected represents about 5 percent of total former patients, he said.
St. Francis is reviewing its security procedures in light of the theft, according to a statement from the company.
"Those measures include the reviewing of security processes at all remote information system rooms, pursuing enhanced security data storage technology and engaging an independent third party security company to assist in refining our data security program," the statement reads.
The letter every affected patient will receive includes a phone number for inquiries and steps to protect against identity theft.
By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
Computer with patient information stolen from St. Francis
By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
Published: 2/11/2011 2:25 PM
Last Modified: 2/11/2011 4:38 PM
A computer containing diagnostic records, social security numbers and other information for 84,000 patients was stolen from a St. Francis health facility a few weeks ago, company officials said Friday.
The records were for patients treated before 2004, and anyone affected will be receiving a letter from the hospital in the next few days. All will be eligible for a free credit monitoring program that offers up to $1 million in protection and includes daily credit score monitoring, said Barry Steichen, chief administrative officer of Saint Francis Health System.
Officials have not heard any reports of identity theft and police speculate that the hardware may have been stolen for parts and the copper and gold it contains. The Broken Arrow Police Department is still investigating the burglary.
The large, mainframe computer system was stolen from an imaging center in what was formerly Broken Arrow Medical Center on Jan. 14. The computer was there in storage. Federal law mandates that medical records be kept for at least seven years, Steichen said.
The number of patients affected represents about 5 percent of total former patients, he said.
St. Francis is reviewing its security procedures in light of the theft, according to a statement from the company.
"Those measures include the reviewing of security processes at all remote information system rooms, pursuing enhanced security data storage technology and engaging an independent third party security company to assist in refining our data security program," the statement reads.
The letter every affected patient will receive includes a phone number for inquiries and steps to protect against identity theft.
By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
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