A Tucson area hospital says it didn't properly store sensitive information from hundreds of patients for weeks.
In a media release Friday morning, Tucson Medical Center HealthCare says paper files containing names, addresses, dates of birth, insurance data, social security numbers and medical information were left in an unlocked room on TMC HealthCare property from June 27 to July 12 this year. In all, nearly 1,800 files were left in the room unsecured.
The hospital says it has no reason to believe anyone improperly accessed the files, but is making the public aware as a precaution. TMC HealthCare is mailing letters to patients whose information was stored in the files. Those patients should expect that letter to arrive by Sept. 25, the hospital said.
TMC HealthCare says it's now reinforcing training with all staff responsible for storing and maintaining paper files with patient information.
Anyone with questions can call the hospital at 1-877-440-0645.
