Virus Infects Froedtert Health Computer, 43,000 Patient Records Exposed

Froedtert Health, an organization based in Wisconsin, US, is informing patients that a computer virus found on an employee’s computer might have accessed their personal records.

Froedtert Health representatives told WISN12 that the records of 43,000 patients were stored on the device in question. The information included names, addresses, dates of birth, medical record numbers, diagnoses and, in some cases, social security numbers.

While there isn’t any evidence to suggest that medical or financial information has been stolen by the malicious element, the computer forensics experts who were called in to investigate could not definitively rule out the possibility that patient records were accessed.

The breach was identified on December 14, 2012, and the forensic experts were contacted immediately. However, the company only recently started notifying the potentially affected individuals.

The individuals who are possibly affected by the incident received care at one of Froedtert Health’s affiliates, including Froedtert Hospital, Community Memorial Hospital of Menomonee Falls, St. Joseph’s Community Hospital of West Bend, Froedtert Health Medical Group, West Bend Surgery Center, and Kettle Moraine Anesthesiology.