Kaiser Permanente

2016: Theft of devices ultrasonography

In July, 2016 Kaiser Permanente announced that two former employees of the medical organization stole from it the devices for ultrasonic diagnostics containing confidential medical information more than one thousand patients.

According to the statement of Kaiser, most of kidnapped persons of systems were returned, however some equipment still should be found.

Former employees of Kaiser Permanente stole the equipment with data about 1100 patients

In June, 2016 Kaiser made own investigation during which it became clear that some of the recovered devices ultrasonography stolen by former employees of the company contained personal data of patients, including their names, dates of birth, medical images and numbers of clinical records. At the same time personal numbers on the system of social insurance or any financial information were not in systems.

Kaiser claims that the information about patients received by thieves was not used in any illegal purposes, and the fraud risk in this case is very small as criminals did not get data of social security.

We are firmly convinced that theft of this equipment was performed for the only purpose — sales for profit earning, but not for disclosure or unauthorized use of the protected information on the state of health. Before return to Kaiser Permanente the stolen recovered devices were stored in the closed warehouse. We announced theft in law enforcement agencies, says Kaiser.

In July, 2016 Kaiser continued to notify on an incident of the clients injured with theft of devices ultrasonography and to apologize for the incident. In total leak concerned about 1100 residents of Northern California. Kaiser still makes investigation and undertakes all necessary measures for prevention of similar errors in the future, reported in the company.^[1]

Notes