Department of Psychiatry

Notice

Patient Information Breach

On December 25, 2011, SUNY Downstate Medical Center University Hospital of Brooklyn (SUNY Downstate) became aware that papers containing protected health information of patients seen in the main campus' hospital on the Psychiatry Inpatient unit between 10/3/11 – 11/11/11 were found on a street in the Prospect Heights neighborhood. SUNY Downstate believes that most of this information was recovered, however, in due diligence, it attempted to notify the applicable patients of this incident. Unfortunately, SUNY Downstate was unable to contact a number of patients. It is, therefore, posting the relevant information on its website.

The following information about these patients may have been improperly disclosed:

Name;
Medical Record Number;
Diagnosis;
Medications;
Lab/Imaging Results;
Treatment Plan

Please be advised that social security numbers or other financial information were NOT listed on these documents and were in no way disclosed.

Please be assured that SUNY Downstate has no knowledge or reason to believe that the information was viewed, used or misused by anyone. SUNY Downstate has put every effort in place to locate and safeguard the information and to identify those that were affected. Although the information did not contain data such as social security numbers or insurance information that could be used for purposes of identity theft, it is important that the affected patients are aware of this incident so they could exercise caution and be alert to suspicious activity that could result.

As a result of this incident, SUNY Downstate is working to strengthen its safeguards to protect all of its patient information and to put additional measures in place to minimize the chance that such an incident could occur again. Further, this incident was reviewed with the relevant SUNY Downstate staff and necessary action that is commensurate with the seriousness of the incident has been taken. Lastly, in accordance with the law, SUNY Downstate has reported this incident to the United States Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

If you have any questions regarding this incident, please contact the following toll free number: 1-855-349-5380.