Email Hack Affects 39,000 Laboratory Patients

Accessed emails contained patient Social Security numbers and financial account information

By By Dan Hounsell


The attacks just keep on coming for vulnerable healthcare systems. Data breaches from cyber attacks jumped 55 percent in 2020, and 2021 shows no signs of slowing down.

ProPath, a Dallas-based laboratory testing provider, recently began notifying 39,213 patients that an unauthorized party gained access to two ProPath email accounts, according to Becker’s Hospital Review. ProPath said it disabled access to those emails and required password resets to avoid further unauthorized access. 

Through an investigation, it discovered Jan. 28 that one or both of the email accounts were accessed between May 4 and Sept. 14, 2020. The accessed emails contained patient Social Security numbers, financial account information, birthdates and more. ProPath said there is no evidence any of the compromised data has been misused.

For those whose Social Security numbers were affected, ProPath is offering free access to a credit monitoring system.



March 16, 2021


Topic Area: Information Technology


Recent Posts

Disinfectant Contact Time: The Case for Biofilm Disruption

Contact time, while essential for compliance, does not reliably predict microbial reduction on actual healthcare surfaces.


Texas HHSC Reaches Construction Milestone for Panhandle State Hospital in Amarillo

Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2027.


Mon General Succumbs to Phishing Cyberattack

Its investigation ultimately determined that an unauthorized party gained access to certain Mon General email mailboxes on May 6, 2026.


The HVAC Dilemma: To Repair or Replace?

Healthcare facilities that keep repairing and optimizing aging systems past their useful life spend money on a problem they cannot solve without capital investment.


Department of Veterans Affairs Signs Lease for Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Kentucky

Construction and facility preparation are expected to be completed by the winter of 2027, and the first patient should be seen by spring 2028.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.