Personal Medical Records of 1.7 Million Stolen

Written on February 19, 2011 – 8:20 pm | by Chloe Gatenby

The personal health data for about 1.7 million New York City patients and hospital workers was stolen from an unlocked van in Manhattan. The van belonged to the city’s medical vendor, GRM Information Management Services.

The 20 years worth of electronic files were stored on magnetic tapes that contained personal information and protected health information of patients, contractors and vendors. The personal information included names, addresses and Social Security numbers. Those affected by this patient privacy breach were either treated by or provided services at Jacobi Medical Center, North Central Bronx Hospital or their offsite clinics which make up the North Bronx Healthcare Network.

“The loss of this data occurred through the negligence of a contracted firm that specializes in the secure transport and storage of sensitive data,” New York City’s Health and Hospitals Corporation wrote in its data theft notification

Last Wednesday, HHC began mailing notification letters to victims. They are also offering free credit monitoring and fraud resolution services.

HHC has ended its relationship with GRM and filed a lawsuit Thursday against the company seeking to hold the vendor responsible for the costs of notifying those affected and any related damages.

Identity Theft Protection Services