KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- On Jan. 21, 2016, a potential privacy issue was discovered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, by a security forces patrolman. Medical documents were found in a dumpster in a semi-remote location on base.
Upon examination, the boxes appeared to contain personally identifying information and personal health information on several individuals who were patients at Keesler Medical Center, Keesler AFB, Miss. between 1999 and 2003. A Wright-Patterson security forces investigator conducted an interview with the individuals involved, and returned the medical documents to the 81st Medical Group.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Privacy Office has received and completed identification of patients affected.
Individuals affected by this breach will receive a certified letter of notification in the mail. If you believe this notification includes you or should you have any questions or concerns, please contact the HIPAA Privacy Officer at 228-376-3144 or call 1-800-700-8603, select option five, then request to speak to the 81st MDG HIPAA Privacy Officer.
The Keesler Medical Center takes this breach of privacy very seriously and assures that they stand committed to protecting patients’ health information in accordance with privacy policies and standards.