The covered entity (CE), McLean Hospital, reported that an employee inadvertently made an internal link that contained the protected health information (PHI) of 2,231 individuals available to anyone receiving the link via email. The PHI involved included names, email addresses, dates of birth, Social Security and drivers’ license numbers, telephone numbers, diagnoses, medications, and health insurance and other treatment information. The CE notified HHS, the affected individuals, the media, and posted substitute notice on its website. In its mitigation efforts, the CE provided complimentary credit monitoring services and implemented additional administrative, technical, and security safeguards.
