Large Patient Information Breaches Skyrocket

The breach affecting the most individuals remains the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee incident that involved theft of hard drives Oct. 2, 2009.

Filling out the top five breaches are:

Providence Hospital
State: Michigan
Approximate number of individuals affected: 83,945
Date of breach: Feb. 4, 2010
Type of breach: Other
Location of breached information: Hard drive

Universal American, Inc.
State: New York
Business associate involved: Democracy Data & Communications, LLC
Approximate number of individuals affected: 83,000
Date of breach: Nov. 12, 2009
Type of breach: Incorrect mailing
Location of breached information: Postcards

"Private Practice"
City and state: San Antonio, Texas
Approximate number of individuals affected: 21,000
Date of breach: Feb. 20, 2010
Type of breach: Theft
Location of breached information: Portable electronic device

Shands at UF
State: Florida
Approximate number of individuals affected: 12,580
Date of breach: Jan. 27, 2010
Type of breach: Theft
Location of breached information: Laptop