SymmetricalDataSecurity: Orlando Hospital Foots the Bill Post Data Breach

Monday, October 31, 2016

Orlando Hospital Foots the Bill Post Data Breach

After the Pulse nightclub incident in Orlando, FL, a majority of the victims were treated at Orlando Regional Hospital. Not too long after their treatment, the hospital suffered a data breach, which included those victims’ PHI. Here’s what happened:

Survivors of the Orlando shooting at the Pulse LGBT club will not be billed for their hospital stays.

Orlando Regional Hospital and Florida Hospital, which treated a combined 56 survivors of the incident, issued a joint statement on Wednesday announcing that Pulse shooting victims would not be billed for care.

“It was incredible to see how our community came together in the wake of the senseless Pulse shooting,” said Florida Hospital CEO Daryl Tol in a statement quoted by Yahoo News. “We hope this gesture can add to the heart and goodwill that defines Orlando.”

Orlando Health, the network that oversees the Orlando Regional Hospital, treated the bulk of the victims—44 patients in total. The announcement that patients would be treated free-of-charge came just two days after the Daily Dot reported that the Pulse victims’ private health data had been compromised by “curious” hospital employees.

“Numerous team members across our system require access to vital records and information in order to provide our patients with the highest levels of care,” an Orlando Health spokesperson told the Daily Dot on Tuesday. “As a result of this incident, we are re-educating our workforce members and increasing our already vigilant program of auditing and monitoring of patient record access.”

To get the full scoop, click here.