Stanford breach affects 20K, suit seeking $20M in damages

A class action complaint has been filed against Stanford Hospitals and Clinics for the unlawful disclosure of confidential medication information obtained from patients on a public website.

The case, Shana Springer v Stanford Hospitals and Clinics, was filed Sept. 28 in the Superior Court of California for the County of Los Angeles-Central District, stating that while Stanford Hospitals and Clinics is ranked as one of the nation’s best hospitals, on or around Sept. 9, 2010, “private, confidential and sensitive medical information of almost 20,000 of Stanford’s emergency department patients first appeared on a public online website and remained publicly available for almost one full year.”

The information included, but was not limited to, the patient’s name, medical record and hospital account numbers, admission/discharge dates, diagnoses codes and billing charges, the complaint stated.

Asserting that such behavior violates the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act, the plaintiff seeks to obtain the monetary damages authorized under the statue. According to the filing, the plaintiff and class are entitled to nominal statutory damages of $1,000 per class member.

Stanford released a public statement this week acknowledging the filing, and stating its intent to defend itself against any suits filed.