4.8m Dollar Fine Due to HIPAA Violation and Data Breach

by | May 7, 2014

The largest ever financial penalty for violation of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules has been issued this by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the HHS issue.

The data breach was happened when a computer server firewall was turned off by a physician at Columbia University leaving electronic PHI exposed and accessible via search engines. The data breach was discovered when a person discovered ePHI of a deceased partner when searching on the internet.

The data was stored on a server operating within a shared network used by both New York and Presbyterian Hospital (NYP) and Columbia University (CU), under the security of a shared network firewall. When a privately owned computer server was deactivated by a physician – who had developed applications for the healthcare group – the data became accessible via the search engines.

An investigation was carried out on NYP and CU by the OCR after a data breach notice was released jointly by the two healthcare institutions. The incident showed the ePHI of 6,800 people. The data exposed included medications prescribed and medical test results.

The $4.8M settlement is the biggest so far to date and has been issued based on the “factual background” that all parties accept, although neither NYP nor CU has accepted liability for the potential loss of data. The penalty was applied because the entities in question did not conduct a risk analysis and did not employ the appropriate security measaures to minimize the risk to electronic PHI.

NYP has agreed to cover the majority of the cost and has now paid the OCR $3.3M, while Columbia University is covering $1.5 million. Both institutions have also agreed to carry out a complete review of their policies and procedures, including developing risk management procedures and conducting a full risk analysis to identify potential security weaknesses.

They will also supply their staff with training on data security and privacy issues. Had these steps been put in place prior to the data violation as required by HIPAA regulations, the data exposure and financial penalty could have been prevented.

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Patrick Kennedy

Patrick Kennedy is a highly accomplished journalist and editor with nearly two decades of experience in the field. With expertise in writing and editing content, Patrick has made significant contributions to various publications and organizations. Over the course of his career, Patrick has successfully managed teams of writers, overseeing the production of high-quality content and ensuring its adherence to professional standards. His exceptional leadership skills, combined with his deep understanding of journalistic principles, have allowed him to create cohesive and engaging narratives that resonate with readers. A notable area of specialization for Patrick lies in compliance, particularly in relation to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). He has authored numerous articles delving into the complexities of compliance and its implications for various industries. Patrick's comprehensive understanding of HIPAA regulations has positioned him as a go-to expert, sought after for his insights and expertise in this field. Patrick's bachelors degree is from the University of Limerick and his master's degree in journalism is from Dublin City University. You can contact Patrick through his LinkedIn profile:

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