Transcription vendor fired after data breach

Boston Medical Center has fired its transcription service after the hospital learned that about 15,000 patients records were posted without password protection on the vendor’s web site used by physicians, reports the Boston Globe.   

Compromised information included names, addresses, medical information and prescriptions. Social security and financial information were not disclosed.

While no evidence has come to light showing that any unauthorized persons looked at the records, all patients affected were notified, Jenni Watson, the hospital’s chief of staff, told the newspaper.

“We take our responsibility to maintain our patients’ privacy very seriously and have notified all individuals who were affected by this vendor error. . . . As a result of this incident, we have terminated our relationship with MDF,” according to a hospital statement.