Hospital Records For 1.7 Million People Stolen

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New York City’s municipal hospital system disclosed Friday that confidential medical, personnel, vendor and contractor records dating back 20 years at four Bronx facilities were swiped last year when a van was left unlocked and unattended.

The Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) said it has begun notifying 1.7 million people affected by the theft involving Jacobi Medical Center, North Central Bronx Hospital and two affiliated health centers.

Officials said the stolen data was in the form of electronic files and was “not readily accessible without highly specialized technical expertise and data-mining tools.”

They stressed that there is no evidence any of the lost information has been accessed or misused.

Nevertheless, HHC offered one year of free fraud alert services for patients and others whose personal information may be at risk and is opening special customer care services on Monday at both hospitals.

HHC said the theft occurred on Dec. 23, when a vehicle operated by its records vendor, GRM Information Management Services, was left unattended and unlocked while its driver made other pickups. The driver has since been fired.

HHC also said it has terminated its contract with GRM and has filed a lawsuit to cover the costs of undoing the mess that has ensued.

GRM did not immediately return a call.
by: MYFOXNY.COM
Updated: Friday, 11 Feb 2011, 6:37 PM EST
Published : Friday, 11 Feb 2011, 6:35 PM EST