Medical records for 4,000 Garrison Women's Health patients lost: Here's what we know
Medical records for 4,000 Garrison Women's Health patients lost: Here's what we know
Staff report | [email protected]
DOVER — Medical records of Garrison Women’s Health patients were recently "subject to unauthorized third-party activity," according to information released Friday evening by Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.
For 4,158 patients, data such as appointment records and some personal health information cannot be restored, according to Adam Bagni, spokesperson for the hospital. The hospital states "there is no evidence" the information was viewed or taken, citing a forensic investigation by Global Network Systems, which hosted the records on its servers as the practice's technology service provider.
A statement from Garrison Women's Health, which is part of Wentworth Health Partners and located at 770 Central Ave., states it "deeply regrets any concern this incident may cause and wants to assure patients that it takes this matter seriously."
In medical care, patients need to be their own best advocates.
Garrison Women's Health of Dover states the loss of medical records involved an incident at Global Network Systems, which hosts the information on its servers.
ANDREI VASILEV, GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO
Global Network Systems could not be immediately reached for comment.
When were the medical records lost?
Global Network Systems became aware of the issue on Dec. 12, according to the hospital. Citing the investigation, the technology company found "certain information regarding patient care services provided at (Garrison Women's Health) between April 29, 2022 and Dec. 12, 2022 was subject to unauthorized third-party activity that rendered the information inaccessible and for which there was not a backup available."
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Which patient medical information can't be restored?
The information that could not be recovered includes "physician notes and encounter and scheduling data entered or generated by the medical record system from April 29-Dec. 12, 2022," according to the hospital's announcement, which stated it cannot be retrieved due to "corruption/back-up issues."
The impact of the lost medical records differs from patient to patient, according to the hospital. The data that can't be recovered, also includes:
Medical and/or treatment information (such as visits, procedures, tests, medical record number, diagnosis, medical history, genetic information, and various types of assessments, imaging and results.
Coding, claims and insurance/payment information for services.
Scheduling information for upcoming appointments.
Was any of the data recovered?
Some specific radiology and ultrasound applications have been restored, according to the hospital. From Jan. 2-9, the Garrison Women's Health "electronic medical record system was restored through backups, which included earlier data through April 28, 2022," the announcement states.
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Were patients of Wentworth-Douglass Hospital affected?
The outage did not impact Wentworth-Douglass Hospital’s network or any other parts of its core clinical system, according to the hospital.
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What resources are being provided for Garrison Women's Health patients?
Patients who have questions about appointments or clinical concerns can call Garrison Women's Health at 603-609-6295, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Patients are being advised to "carefully review statements sent by healthcare providers and their insurance company" from April 29 to Dec. 12. Patients with medical concerns after hours can call (603) 742-0101.
Patients who have questions about the medical records incident can call 1-833-896-7532 9 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays, except holidays. The "incident call center" is being run by an outside company, according to Bagni.
Staff report | [email protected]
DOVER — Medical records of Garrison Women’s Health patients were recently "subject to unauthorized third-party activity," according to information released Friday evening by Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.
For 4,158 patients, data such as appointment records and some personal health information cannot be restored, according to Adam Bagni, spokesperson for the hospital. The hospital states "there is no evidence" the information was viewed or taken, citing a forensic investigation by Global Network Systems, which hosted the records on its servers as the practice's technology service provider.
A statement from Garrison Women's Health, which is part of Wentworth Health Partners and located at 770 Central Ave., states it "deeply regrets any concern this incident may cause and wants to assure patients that it takes this matter seriously."
In medical care, patients need to be their own best advocates.
Garrison Women's Health of Dover states the loss of medical records involved an incident at Global Network Systems, which hosts the information on its servers.
ANDREI VASILEV, GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO
Global Network Systems could not be immediately reached for comment.
When were the medical records lost?
Global Network Systems became aware of the issue on Dec. 12, according to the hospital. Citing the investigation, the technology company found "certain information regarding patient care services provided at (Garrison Women's Health) between April 29, 2022 and Dec. 12, 2022 was subject to unauthorized third-party activity that rendered the information inaccessible and for which there was not a backup available."
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Which patient medical information can't be restored?
The information that could not be recovered includes "physician notes and encounter and scheduling data entered or generated by the medical record system from April 29-Dec. 12, 2022," according to the hospital's announcement, which stated it cannot be retrieved due to "corruption/back-up issues."
The impact of the lost medical records differs from patient to patient, according to the hospital. The data that can't be recovered, also includes:
Medical and/or treatment information (such as visits, procedures, tests, medical record number, diagnosis, medical history, genetic information, and various types of assessments, imaging and results.
Coding, claims and insurance/payment information for services.
Scheduling information for upcoming appointments.
Was any of the data recovered?
Some specific radiology and ultrasound applications have been restored, according to the hospital. From Jan. 2-9, the Garrison Women's Health "electronic medical record system was restored through backups, which included earlier data through April 28, 2022," the announcement states.
More local news:C/A Design moving to Exeter. Here's why company is leaving Dover.
Were patients of Wentworth-Douglass Hospital affected?
The outage did not impact Wentworth-Douglass Hospital’s network or any other parts of its core clinical system, according to the hospital.
More Dover news:Greg Kageleiry 'humbled' by court dedication at Dover High School
What resources are being provided for Garrison Women's Health patients?
Patients who have questions about appointments or clinical concerns can call Garrison Women's Health at 603-609-6295, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Patients are being advised to "carefully review statements sent by healthcare providers and their insurance company" from April 29 to Dec. 12. Patients with medical concerns after hours can call (603) 742-0101.
Patients who have questions about the medical records incident can call 1-833-896-7532 9 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays, except holidays. The "incident call center" is being run by an outside company, according to Bagni.
