Some patients at Tampa General Hospital face the possibility of having their identities stolen
Some patients at Tampa General Hospital face the possibility of having their identities stolen
TAMPA – Some patients who were treated at Tampa General Hospital by University of South Florida doctors face the possibility of having their identities stolen after private information made it into the wrong hands.
Sharee Chapman, who underwent hip replacement surgery at TGH on May 16, says word of this breach has been the biggest complication following her procedure.
On Wednesday, she received a two-page letter from the University of South Florida informing her she could become a victim of identity theft.
“To come home and get this letter. Now what?” said Chapman.
According to the letter, on May 24 a University of South Florida Health employee was pulled over by Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies. A search of the car turned up protected health information that the employee was not authorized to possess nor should have had access to.
The letter says that information included social security numbers, names, birth dates and medical record numbers. However, no medical records were found.
“How did they let it happen? What are they going do to prevent it from happening again?” Chapman questioned.
The letter states that some of documents found were used by USF in billing for health care services provided by USF physicians at TGH.
The employee in this case, whose name has yet to be released, was terminated.
Chapman said she appalled by this incident and how the hospital is handling it. She pointed out that the letter she received was dated July 26. However, the postmark on the envelope was for August 13.
“They have 60 days to notify people of a breach. They are beyond their 60 days. Its left me feeling like they are not doing their job,” Chapman explained.
The letter provided an 800 where patients can call to check if their credit has been affected.
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