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Failure to adequately protect patient information results in $100,000 fine

EHR Connection, August 4, 2008

 
Providence Health & Services will pay a $100,000 and has agreed to a corrective action plan to implement appropriate safeguards to protect electronic patient information against theft or loss as a result of possible HIPAA violations, HHS announced July 17.
 
The fine and plan to implement safeguards are part of a Resolution Agreement to settle privacy and security breaches stemming from the loss of laptop computers and electronic backup media containing individually identifiable health information during 2005 and 2006, HHS said in its announcement.
 
HHS received more than 30 complaints after the Seattle-based healthcare provider notified 386,000 patients that the unencrypted information had been compromised. The agency’s investigation focused on the failure to implement policies and procedures to safeguard patient information.

Click here to read the HHS press release.

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