by
John R. Fischer, Senior Reporter | July 28, 2023
Data for approximately 1.2 million patients may have been compromised in a breach at Tampa General Hospital. (Photo courtesy of Tampa General)
A breach in May at Tampa General Hospital may have put approximately 1.2 million patients in danger of having their personal information exploited.
The private nonprofit hospital, which has more than 1,000 beds, alerted the FBI after investigating unusual activity it found on its computer system on May 31. They found that an unauthorized third party breached its network and accessed certain files between May 12 and 30.
The information varied by individual, but may have included names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, social security numbers, health insurance information, medical record numbers, patient account numbers, dates of service, and/or limited treatment information used in its business operations.
Ad Statistics
Times Displayed: 46592
Times Visited: 1410 MIT labs, experts in Multi-Vendor component level repair of: MRI Coils, RF amplifiers, Gradient Amplifiers Contrast Media Injectors. System repairs, sub-assembly repairs, component level repairs, refurbish/calibrate. info@mitlabsusa.com/+1 (305) 470-8013
But its technology professionals and monitoring systems were able to thwart the hacker’s encryption attempts, which could have affected the hospital’s ability to provide care, and the hospital took steps to contain the activity upon finding it. Its EHR system was not involved or breached.
“Patients are encouraged to review statements from their health insurer and healthcare providers, and to contact them immediately if they see any services they did not receive,” said TGH in an announcement on its website.
TGH is mailing out notices to affected patients and will provide complimentary credit monitoring and identity theft protection to those whose social security numbers were breached.
It is currently aiding the FBI in identifying the perpetrators of the hack.
