[Update1]Improper Disposal of Computer Exposes University of Florida Patient Records
Quick Facts
- Date: 5/20/2008
- Institution: University of Florida
- Type of Incident: Unauthorized Disclosure
- Number Affected: 1,900
- Source: ESI
- Abstract Source: Jacksonville Business Journal
- Update1 Source: First Coast News
Abstract
University of Florida officials are set to begin notifying patients of a UF plastic surgeon that their personal information may have been compromised. The surgeon, Dr. Francis D. Ong, is an assistant professor at the UF College of Medicine - Jacksonville. Dr. Ong recent gave a computer containing unencrypted patient information, such as names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and Medicare numbers, and patient photos to a family he was friends with. According to David Behinfar, a privacy compliance manager at the College of Medicine, Dr. Ong's actions were against university policy. The College of Medicine mailed out notification letters on May 19th and officials urge concerned patients to contact the College of Medicine hotline - 866-876-4472.
Update1
The laptop Dr. Ong gave to the family has been returned to the university. Dr. Ong told investigators that the computer was only used for personal use by the family and that a member of the family had reinstalled the operating system. Dr. Ong is no longer affiliated with the University of Florida College of Medicine - following this incident. Dr. Robert C. Nuss, Dean of UF's Jacksonville campus, apologized over the incident saying that the university works hard to earn patient's trust. The university will continue to educate doctors and staff on the proper method of storing patient information.
