In November 2023, Samaritan Health Services in Oregon launched an investigation into unauthorized access to patient records at its Lebanon Community Hospital. The probe was triggered by concerns that a physician might have accessed protected health information without proper authorization. The investigation involved examining access logs, interviewing patients and staff, and obtaining a written statement from the physician.
The review revealed that while many accessed records were for legitimate purposes, the reason for accessing records for 1,296 individuals could not be verified. Despite this, Samaritan Health Services found no evidence suggesting that the physician’s actions were intended for malicious use. There are currently no indications that patient data has been misused.
As a precaution, Samaritan Health Services has advised the affected individuals to monitor their financial statements and credit reports closely. They should report any unusual activity to their financial institutions promptly to safeguard against potential misuse.
The organization remains confident that the unauthorized access was not driven by malicious intent. However, it continues to ensure that all patient data is protected and encourages affected individuals to stay vigilant.
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