Sentara Health Notifies Patients of Potential Data Exposure Following Employee Review
Sentara Healthcare is proactively informing patients of a potential data security incident stemming from a review of two remote employees' employment status. The healthcare provider sent out letters to affected individuals outlining the situation and the steps Sentara is taking to mitigate any potential harm.
What Happened?
Sentara Health recently conducted a review of its remote workforce. During this review, concerns arose regarding the employment status of two individuals who had access to patient information. While the specifics of the employment status issues remain undisclosed, Sentara determined it necessary to alert patients out of an abundance of caution.
What Information Was Potentially Exposed?
The potential data exposure could include a range of personal information, although Sentara has not yet provided a detailed list. It's likely to encompass information commonly collected by healthcare providers, such as:
- Names
- Dates of birth
- Addresses
- Contact information
- Medical record numbers
- Health insurance details
- Potentially, limited medical information
Sentara is working diligently to determine the exact scope of the data potentially affected.
What is Sentara Doing?
Sentara Health is taking several steps to address this situation:
- Notification: Sending letters to affected patients to inform them of the potential risk.
- Investigation: Conducting a thorough investigation to understand the full extent of the incident and identify any vulnerabilities in their systems.
- Security Enhancements: Implementing additional security measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. This may include reviewing and strengthening access controls, enhancing employee screening processes, and bolstering data security protocols.
- Monitoring: Monitoring systems for any suspicious activity.
What Should Patients Do?
While Sentara hasn't reported any evidence of misuse of the potentially exposed data, patients are advised to take the following precautions:
- Review Account Statements: Carefully review bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized activity.
- Monitor Credit Reports: Consider obtaining a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and review it for any inaccuracies or suspicious entries.
- Be Wary of Phishing Scams: Be cautious of any unsolicited emails, phone calls, or text messages asking for personal information. Sentara will not request sensitive information via these channels.
- Consider a Credit Freeze: A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, making it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name.
More Information
Sentara Health is committed to protecting patient information and is working diligently to resolve this matter. Affected patients can contact Sentara Health directly for more information and assistance. Keep an eye on Sentara’s official website for updates.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice.
