Laptop stolen from car, 11.5K patients’ data at risk

A laptop theft was the cause of the latest breach, which impacted 11,500 patients at DaVita, a Colorado-based kidney care company.

The password-protected laptop was stolen from an employee’s vehicle. Although the provider maintains an encryption policy, the technology on that particular laptop had been unintentionally deactivated, according to DaVita’s press release.

Compromised information included name, health information such as certain diagnoses (e.g., end stage renal disease), insurance benefits (e.g., Medicare/Medicare) and dialysis treatment information and Social Security number. DeVita maintained that no evidence has emerged that any data has been accessed or used.

However, the provider offered those affected one year of credit monitoring.

“We take our responsibility to protect patient information very seriously and maintain extensive security and privacy programs. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or concern this incident may cause you,” according to the letter.