Stolen computers compromise data of 1,213 patients

Laura Pedulli | | Health Exec | Cybersecurity

Manchester, N.H.-based Elliot Hospital and police are investigating the theft of four computers that contain limited personal information about 1,213 patients, reports WMUR New Hampshire.

The computers were stolen from an employee’s car in March when that person was transporting the machines to a location where they could be destroyed.

Hospital officials believe the information on the hard drives would not be useful to identity thieves, but it is notifying patients nonetheless. The computers had auto-archived three spreadsheets and 20 emails, and included information such as names, dates of service and various billing codes, according to the article.

“It’s very important to keep in mind or to understand that this is not a situation involving the breach of electronic medical records,” said John Friberg, senior vice president of Elliot Hospital, in a statement.

The hospital has since made changes to ensure its computers no longer auto-archive this information, and sent out letters to the affected patients.

Laura Pedulli

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