The personal information of approximately 90,000 patients of Harborview Medical Center and University of Washington Medical Center, which are part of UW Medicine, has reportedly been compromised as the result of a malware attack that affected a facility computer that stored patient data.
From KOMO News:
Early last month, a UW Medicine employee opened an email attachment that contained malicious software. The malware took control of the computer, which happened to be storing personal information from approximately 90,000 UW Medicine and Harborview Medical Center patients, according to a UW Medicine news release.The compromised patient data included names, phone numbers, addresses, medical record numbers and Social Security numbers, among other information.UW Medicine is now reaching out to the affected patients and has also set up a call center to work with victims.
While the breach occurred in early October, patients are now being notified by mail.
A statement published by UW Medicine indicates that patient information was not believed to have been specifically sought or targeted, according to the results of an internal investigation.
The statement also indicates the FBI is currently investigating the matter, and some patients may be contacted by the agency as part of that investigation.
(Featured image credit: KOMO News video)
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