TMC left patient information in unsecured room for two weeks
TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - TMC HealthCare is notifying patients that paper files containing patient information were inadvertently left unsecured for a two week period in an unlocked suite used for storage.
After TMC HealthCare discovered the unlocked suite on July 12, 2018, the files were immediately secured and a thorough investigation ensued. Some of the nearly 1,800 files contained patient information, which may have included names, dates of birth, addresses, medical record numbers, insurance ID or Social Security numbers, diagnoses, treatment information, provider information, medications, test results, and other clinical information.
Financial information, such as credit card or bank account information, was not in the paper files. TMC HealthCare has no reason to believe that any patient information was accessed when the files were left in the unlocked room between June 27 and July 12, 2018, or that the patient information has been used inappropriately.
TMC HealthCare has mailed letters to affected patients, has established a dedicated call center to answer questions, and has posted a notice on its website as not all of the files have current addresses. Eligible, affected patients will be offered one year of complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services.
If patients have not received a letter by September 25, 2018 and want to know if their information was affected, they are asked to call 1-877-440-0645, Monday through Friday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Pacific Time. TMC HealthCare also recommends that affected patients review the statements they receive from their health insurer, and contact their insurer immediately if they see services they did not receive.
Individuals may also obtain a free credit report directly from each of the three nationwide credit reporting companies annually. To order a free annual report, please visit www.annualcreditreport.com, call toll free at 1-877-322-8228, or directly contact the three nationwide credit reporting companies: To help prevent something like this from happening in the future, TMC HealthCare is reinforcing training with all individuals responsible for the secure storage and maintenance of paper files containing any patient information.
"TMC HealthCare takes this issue very seriously," said Tim Hartin, Chief Legal Officer and Senior Vice President. "We are committed to protecting the security and confidentiality of our patients' information, and we deeply regret any inconvenience or concern this may cause our patients."
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