Computer with patient info, checks stolen from Nebraska practice

Burglars broke into Complete Family Medicine, part of Great Plains Physician Network in North Platte, Neb., on March 1, taking a computer used to conduct EKGs and uncashed patient checks that were in a locked safe.

While some checks were recovered, the computer, which held patient names, dates of birth and EKG images, remains missing. Patient information on missing checks includes names, addresses and bank account numbers.

The number of patients affected by the breach, including those whose checks were stolen, has not been disclosed by Complete Family Medicine, and the incident has not yet been posted on the HHS Office for Civil Rights data breach web site.

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Breach notification letters have been mailed to affected individuals along with information for patients for monitoring any explanation of benefits they receive, requesting copies of current medical records from each patient’s providers, and requesting an accounting of disclosures that list the times that an individual’s health information has been shared.



Affected individuals whose bank accounts were compromised have been offered one year of the myTruIdentity credit monitoring service from credit reporting firm TransUnion.

“Complete Family Medicine is reviewing its policies and procedures to determine if any changes are necessary to its physical security or how information is maintained,” the practice told affected patients. “We deeply regret any inconvenience this incident may have caused patients and their families.”

The practice declined to provide additional details about the incident.