In-House Mishap Exposes Data of 4,000 Patients

Protected health information had been accidentally uploaded and exposed

By Dan Hounsell


The challenges facing healthcare IT managers show no signs of slowing down. While many of the problems stem from unrelenting cyber attacks from outside parties, managers also must deal with issues created by improper in-house practices.

Consider Southbridge, Mass.-based Harrington Healthcare System, which recently began notifying more than 4,000 patients that their protected health information had been accidentally uploaded and exposed, according to Becker’s Hospital Review.

In an April 9 notice on its website, Harrington Healthcare said a mailing list containing patients' names, ages, addresses, dates of birth and physician names was accidentally uploaded to a network file location on its information system that was not designed to store secure patient information and could have been accessed by parties outside of the health system.



April 23, 2021


Topic Area: Information Technology


Recent Posts

CRAB Alert: The EVS Role in Preventing Infection

CRAB is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes bloodstream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, surgical wound infections and meningitis in hospitalized patients.


Why Hospital Waiting Rooms Aren't Going Away

Despite advances in technology, thoughtfully designed reception spaces continue to evolve.


Ground Broken on Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Hospital

The hospital is aiming to open in 2030 on Mount Sinai’s Upper East Side campus.


Design, Compartmentation, Training: How Defend-in-Place Strategies Can Protect Patients

Effective defend-in-place strategies depend on compartmentation, fire-rated assemblies and ongoing staff training to protect patients who cannot quickly evacuate.


Milestone Marked with Topping Out Ceremony for BayCare Hospital Manatee

Construction remains on schedule, with crews continuing work on interior spaces, infrastructure and clinical areas throughout the facility.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.