North Kansas City Hospital has notified patients of a data breach that occurred several months ago, revealing that their personal information may have been exposed. The breach was detected by a company providing transcription services to the hospital, which found unauthorized access to its IT systems in July 2023. While the compromised data did not include social security numbers, patients’ names, dates of birth, contact details, and health insurance information may have been accessed.
In response to the breach, North Kansas City Hospital has taken immediate steps to enhance data security measures and review existing policies and procedures. The hospital has ceased sharing information with the affected company and is working to address any potential vulnerabilities. Affected individuals are being notified via mail, and the hospital advises them to monitor their financial and medical accounts for any signs of unauthorized activity.
Meanwhile, Liberty Hospital is grappling with its own cybersecurity incident, which has prompted concerns among medical staff and patients about the hospital’s operational status and information security. The hospital, which experienced a network shutdown in December 2023, is collaborating with cybersecurity specialists to assess the extent of the issue and restore normal operations. However, some employees have expressed skepticism about the hospital’s transparency regarding the incident, highlighting the importance of effective communication and transparency in managing cybersecurity incidents in healthcare settings.