Sanford releases notice of 'data event'
Note: This story has been updated to clarify who sent the release.
On Thursday, Sanford Health issued a notice of a data event that took place through one of its third-party vendors that affected patient information, according to a release sent by an attorney representing Mullen Coughlin, a cybersecurity and data privacy law firm.
The vendor is AAA Collections Inc., and learned on Sept. 7 that the "data event" took place. Through the investigation, the company determined that certain documents stored with AAA Collections' environment were copied from the system as part of the event between Sept. 5 through the 7.
Based on that investigation, the company's review determined certain "potentially affected information related to patients of Sanford Health." The process to review the data and determine what information was affected was completed on Oct. 13, according to AAA Collections.
"This process to review the data and determine whose information may be affected has been ongoing and was recently completed on Oct. 13," the company said in a release.
On Oct. 18, the collections company notified the healthcare system of the event. From there, "parties are working diligently to provide appropriate notice to impacted individuals," a notice said.
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Information identified in the reviewed files include: name, address, phone number, date of birth, medical record number, provider or facility name, condition, diagnosis and/or treatment information, payment amount history information, insurance payment amount information and date of service.
“Protecting patient information is paramount at Sanford Health. Individuals who may be affected by this event are being contacted and will be provided the proper assistance needed," David Hill, Sanford Health chief privacy officer said in a statement.
AAA Collections is also mailing written notices to impacted Sanford Health patients, as well as information and resources to help individuals protect their information. The company provides accounts receivable recovery services to Sanford Health and receives Sanford Health patient information in connection with those services.
"In an abundance of caution, AAA is notifying potentially affected individuals, and providing information on steps you may take to protect your information, should you feel it is appropriate to do so," the notice said.Those with questions are encouraged to call the dedicated assistance line at 1-833-896-5845 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., excluding holidays. Individuals can also write to AAA Collections at 3500 S. First Ave., Suite 100, Sioux Falls, 57105. More information can be found on AAA Collections' website.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Sanford Health AAA Collections data event Sioux Falls healthcare
