Quantum Health Consulting

An unencrypted laptop computer and an external hard drive containing the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of 7,923 individuals were stolen from a staff member of the CE's business associate (BA). The ePHI included names, ages, gender, social security numbers, medical services provided, diagnosis codes, and dates of service. Upon discovery of the breach, the CE filed a police report to recover the stolen items. The CE also provided breach notification to all affected individuals, HHS, and the media. As a result of OCR's investigation, the CE had its BA conduct a risk analysis, implement new security policies and procedures to ensure adequate safeguards to protect ePHI, and retrain its employees. The CE also had its BA change its security practices to include encryption on all laptops and restrict the use of portable media devices.