Stolen x-ray films cause breach

Michigan-based Henry Ford Health System is notifying 15,417 patients of the possible compromise of their health information after old x-ray films were stolen from a storage warehouse before the films could be destroyed.

The x-rays, administered between 1996 and 2003, contain the following patient information: name, medical record number, age or date of birth, gender, building location where the x-ray was taken and the x-ray image itself, according to Henry Ford Health System’s notice on the breach.  The films did not contain Social Security numbers, health insurance numbers, mailing addresses, telephone numbers or other personal identifying information.

The x-ray theft from the storage warehouse—which is operated separately from Henry Ford—took place on May 24. A warehouse employee was arrested in connection with the theft, and police continue their investigation into other people believed to have been involved, according to the release.

“This incident was solely isolated to the warehouse, did not involve any Henry Ford employees, and did not involve any other secured patient information kept by our health system,” according to the notice.