T&P Consulting

An unencrypted laptop computer and external hard drive containing the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of 39,609 individuals were stolen from a staff member of the covered entity's (CE) business associate (BA). The ePHI included names, ages, sex, social security numbers, medical services provided, diagnosis codes, and dates of service. Upon discovery of the breach, the CE filed a police report and provided breach notification to HHS, the media and all affected individuals. 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. In addition, the CE also had its BA change its security practices to include encryption on all laptops and restrict the use of portable media devices. OCR obtained assurance that the CE implemented the corrective action listed above and required one additional corrective action. OCR identified the need for the CE to implement certain security policies, procedures and controls.