Personal data stolen from 26 Florida hospitals in nationwide breach

Personal data stolen from 26 Florida hospitals in nationwide breach

FRANKLIN, Tenn. —
A large network of hospitals says hackers have stolen the personal information of 4.5 million patients, including in Florida.

Community Health Systems (CHS) operates more than 200 hospitals across the country.

The company said hackers from China broke into its computers and stole the names, Social Security numbers, birthdates, addresses and telephone numbers of 4.5 million patients.

The patients affected by the cyber-attack are patients who were referred to or seen at some physician practices affiliated with some of Community Health System hospitals.

In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the company says the attack happened in April and June of this year.

CHS operates 26 hospitals throughout the state, including:

Bartow — Bartow Regional Medical Center
Brooksville — Bayfront Health Brooksville
Crystal River — Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center
Dade City — Bayfront Health Dade City
Davenport — Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center
Lake Wales — Lake Wales Medical Center
Melbourne – Wuesthoff Health System
Ocala — Munroe Regional Medical Center
Rockledge – Wuesthoff Health System
Spring Hill — Bayfront Health Spring Hill
St. Cloud — St. Cloud Regional Medical Center
St. Petersburg — Bayfront Health St. Petersburg
St. Cloud Regional Medical Center issued a statement:

“We take very seriously the security and confidentiality of private patient information and sincerely regret any concern or inconvenience to patients.”

Community Health Systems Inc. says they have removed all of the malware from its network and added protection against future attacks. The company confirms none of the stolen data included credit cards or medical information.

CHS said it plans to notify the affected patients and offer identity theft protection.

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