Today, John Muir Health began notifying its 5,450 patients about a possible breach of their personal and health information. The notifications came two months after two laptop computers were stolen from the John Muir Physician Network Perinatal office in Walnut Creek, California.
Although the laptops were password protected, and there is no evidence that the information has been accessed or used inappropriately, the Hospital decided to notify its patients, as the laptops contained personal and health data going back more than three years.
As a result of the data breach, the Hospital is taking additional safeguards to protect its patients: (i) it is recommending that affected patients place fraud alerts on their credit files; (ii) it will provide its patients will no-cost identify theft protection for one year, and (iii) it has started implementing additional safety measures.
For more information, please contact Abby Pendleton, Esq. at (248) 996-8510, or visit the HLP website.