Calif. appellate court: Hospital not liable for breach

Laura Pedulli | | Health Exec | Cybersecurity

A California appellate court has ruled that Eisenhower Medical Center (EMC), based in Rancho Mirage, Calif., is not liable for a data breach affecting about 500,000 patients.

In March 2011, a computer was stolen from EMC, containing patient data including ages; dates of birth; last four digits of Social Security numbers; medical record numbers; and names. However, the court denied a class-action lawsuit arguing that EMC violated the state’s Confidentiality of Medical Information Act because the index of patients did not link to their medical histories or information.

"A prohibited release by a healthcare provider must include more than individually identifiable information but must also include information relating to medical history, mental or physician condition, or treatment of the individual," according to the ruling.

Read the ruling here.

Laura Pedulli

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