<p>On September 2, the Indiana University School of Medicine began sending letters to 3,192 individuals that the theft of a password-protected, computer laptop may have compromised their confidential patient information. The laptop, belonging to a physician in the school’s Department of Surgery, contained information, such as name, age, sex, diagnosis, medical record number, and in 178 instances, the individual’s Social Security number. The information was being used for research purposes.</p>

Notice on Possible Patient Record Breach

IU School of Medicine Sep 09, 2011

Although the laptop computer was password protected, there is a possibility that the information could be accessed by a computer specialist with enough time and resources.

The disappearance of the laptop, apparently stolen from the physician’s vehicle on Tuesday, August 16, 2011, was immediately reported to law enforcement.

The IU School of Medicine is providing detailed information to those who might be affected by this incident at medicine.iu.edu/research/media-alert-faqs/, including suggestions how affected individuals may protect themselves from the possible unauthorized use of their personal information.

The IU School of Medicine and the IU Department of Surgery deeply regret this incident and are taking steps and security measures to minimize the likelihood of future incidents.