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

Related Content

FBI seeking extradition of Israeli prisoner accused of $500M in ransomware attacks
Data breach at chain of clinics impacts 450K patients
Nebraska becomes first state to sue Change Healthcare over data breach
Christmas ransomware exposed over 300K patient records to dark web
Cryo-frozen tissue manufacturer suffers cyberattack
First surgical device of its kind granted key FDA exemption

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business
FDA says years-long tirzepatide shortage is resolved, will give limited leeway to compounders

The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.

AI in Healthcare
From Capitol Hill to a hospital near you? 5 federal recommendations for healthcare AI policy

The 24 members of the House Task Force on AI—12 reps from each party—have posted a 253-page report detailing their bipartisan vision for encouraging innovation while minimizing risks. 

Cardiovascular Business
Merck spends up to $2B to license new weight loss drug with potential heart benefits

Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.