Premier Health Family Care – North and Premier Health Family Care of Vandalia (collectively, “Premier Health”) recently informed the public of an incident involving a former employee who improperly retained physical copies of patient records after their termination. The documents, which contained sensitive medical information, contact lists, and other personal data, were discovered to have been retained by the individual. Although Premier Health took immediate action to retrieve the records and secure the information, the incident potentially affected patients who received care before 2018 at Premier Health Family Care – North and Premier Health Family Care of Vandalia.
An internal investigation revealed that the documents potentially impacted included patient names, dates of birth, addresses, phone numbers, and medical details. However, Premier Health emphasized that there was no evidence indicating that the information had been misused. The company took prompt steps to prevent further risks by retrieving the documents and notifying the Office of Civil Rights about the incident. Affected individuals were also informed and offered assistance through a dedicated helpline.
While Premier Health is not aware of any actual misuse, the company is encouraging potentially affected individuals to stay vigilant against identity theft or fraud. They advised those impacted to monitor their credit reports and account statements for suspicious activity. Premier Health also suggested using fraud alerts or placing a credit freeze on their credit reports as additional protective measures to safeguard their personal information.
Premier Health remains committed to ensuring the security of patient data, and as part of its continued effort, the company is offering resources to help individuals protect themselves. The company has emphasized its commitment to information security by implementing strict measures to prevent future incidents. Individuals seeking more information on the incident or how to take protective measures can reach out to the company’s dedicated assistance line or consult credit bureaus for guidance on fraud alerts and credit freezes.
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