The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) officials have announced a HIPAA breach at the hospital caused by a missing laptop computer.
The password-protected laptop went missing from a non-public, patient-care area on Jan. 22 and has not been recovered, officials report.
The laptop may have contained health and personal information of adult patients seen at UMMC between 2008 and January 2013. The information potentially included names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, diagnoses, medications, treatments and other clinical information.
UMMC reports it took action to secure the information and that no patients have claimed unauthorized use of their health or personal information due to this breach. However, UMMC has not made individual notifications due to insufficient contact information.

Mississippi hospital announces HIPAA breach
The University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) officials have announced a HIPAA breach at the hospital caused by a missing laptop computer.
By Healthcare Facilities Today
March 25, 2013
Topic Area: Industry News , Information Technology
Recent Posts
The Future of Backup Power Systems in Healthcare Facilities
Manufacturers discuss what trends are shaping the future of backup power systems in healthcare.
Infection Control is Key to Ongoing Measles Outbreak
Infection control is essential to protecting both patients and staff from contracting measles.
Kaiser Permanente to Open New Parker Medical Offices
It also announced it's in the early stages of planning a rebuild and expansion of its Westminster Medical Offices.
Skanska Completes Renovation for New Sutter Health Care Center
The new facility will provide internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, as well as lab and imaging services.
Probiotic Cleaners: The Start of a Cleaning Revolution?
Advantages of probiotic cleaning include fewer resistant genes and cost savings through decreased antibiotic use.