In Brief: UCSF Discloses Potential Data Breach; Measles Cases Up
UCSF Discloses Potential Data Breach
The University of California at San Francisco has disclosed a potential breach related to the theft of personal and health information of just under 10,000 patients.
The potential breach was related to a Jan. 11 burglary at UCSF Family Medicine Center at Lakeshore. Several unencrypted desktop computers were stolen.
An analysis by UCSF officials determined that the computers included the names of 9,986 individuals, their dates of birth, mailing addresses, medical record numbers, health insurance ID numbers, and driver’s license numbers. Social Security numbers were also involved for 125 of those people.
UCSF officials said the California Department of Public Health, the California Attorney General's office, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services were notified.
To date, the data has not appeared to have been illegally used in any way, according to a statement issued by UCSF.
“UCSF is committed to maintaining the privacy of personal and health information and has taken additional steps to secure that information, including strengthening educational and operational processes for information security,” the statement said.
Measles Cases In California Far Higher Than Year Ago
The California Department of Public Health has reported 32 cases of measles to date statewide, far higher than the three cases reported at the same time last year.
Ten cases have been reported in Los Angeles County, with measles also being reported in Orange, Riverside, San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Diego, Contra Costa and Riverside Counties.
CDPH officials linked several of the cases to individuals who traveled overseas to countries where there have been outbreaks of the disease or it is endemic to the population, such as the Philippines, Vietnam and India. A report by the Los Angeles-area radio station KPCC reported 19 of those cases were linked to lack of immunization against the disease, 14 of whom were intentionally not vaccinated.
“Immunization is the best defense against measles, with 99% of persons developing immunity after two doses (of the measles/mumps/rubella vaccine),” said CDPH Director Ron Chapman, M.D. “With an outbreak in the Philippines and measles transmission ongoing in many parts of the world outside of North and South America, we can expect to see more imported cases of this vaccine-preventable disease.”
CDPH officials recommended anyone traveling outside of North or South American receive an MMR vaccine before departing.
CAPG Names Chief Medical Officer
The California Association of Physician Groups has named Amy Nguyen Howell, M.D., as its chief medical officer.
Nguyen Howell was formerly state medical director at Easy Choice Health Plan, a Medicare plan in Long Beach. She also served as a medical director for Woodland Hills-based Health Net.
Nguyen Howell will be responsible for directing quality and performance programs, identifying and deploying best practices in patient care, and providing advice and education to CAPG members.
