Nemours Patients' Information May Be at Risk; Data Tapes Lost | Health

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- More than a million Nemours patients' information may be at risk after computer backup tapes were reported missing.

Three unencrypted tapes containing patient billing and employee payroll data are missing from a Nemours facility in Wilmington, Del., according to a statement from Nemours spokesperson John Grabusky.

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The information on them is from about 1.6 million patients, employees, and others who had contact with Nemours facilities in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida between 1994 and 2004.

The missing tapes contained names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, insurance information, medical information, and direct deposit information, the statement said.

"This is an isolated incident unrelated to patient care and safety," said Dr. David Bailey, Nemours president and chief executive officer.

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"The privacy of our patients, their families, and our employees and business partners is a high priority to all of us at Nemours."

Nemours is notifying individuals who may have been affected and offering free credit monitoring and support. 

The tapes were in a locked cabinet and were reported missing Sept. 8; they may have been moved in August during remodeling.

There is no indication that the tapes were stolen or that information on them has been accessed, the statement said.