Indiana-based Fairbanks Hospital recently mentioned that they suffered data breach. It said that Fairbanks employees had online access to certain current and former patients’ PHI. This access was not meant for all the employees. 
“The investigation has determined that this issue existed since at least November of 2013, however we are unable to determine whether the issue existed prior to that time,” the hospital said. “We have now corrected this issue so that only the appropriate Fairbanks personnel has electronic access to files containing patient information.”
As per the OCR data breach reporting tool, incident affected 12,994 individuals. Breached information included names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, contact information, patient identification numbers, diagnoses, treatment information, health insurance information, and information related to initial admission and appointment scheduling.
Facility mentioned that the affected information will vary by patient. The majority of patients are “only having their name and limited information relating to initial admission and scheduling of appointments impacted.”
Fairbanks said that it is not aware of any actual or attempted misuse of the information. Facility is offering Identity and credit monitoring services.
“We encourage you to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud, to review your account statements, and to monitor your credit reports and explanation of benefits forms for suspicious activity,” Fairbanks said. “This also includes reviewing account statements, medical bills, and health insurance statements regularly to ensure that no one has submitted fraudulent medical claims using your name and address.”
Fairbanks mentioned that individuals can place “fraud alert’ at no charge. This step will alert creditors to take additional steps to verify your identity prior to granting credit in your name. As this procedure tells creditors to follow certain rules, it may delay individuals’ ability to obtain credit.
Individuals can also place a security freeze on credit reports. This process will give rights to bureau not to release any information from a consumer’s credit report without the consumer’s written authorization. It may delay, interfere or prevent timely approval. It can affect processing for new loans, credit mortgages, employment, housing, or other services. This service is provided free of cost if individual provides valid police report.
Individuals can also educate themselves for identity theft, fraud alerts, and the steps one can take by contacting the Federal Trade Commission or individuals’ state Attorney General.
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