Brooks Rehabilitation

Brooks Rehabilitation, based in Jacksonville, Florida, experienced a data breach involving tracking technology on its website, which was disclosed on January 30, 2023. The breach was identified in December 2022 when Brooks Rehabilitation discovered that tracking technology vendors providing services to the organization had the capability to view and access individually identifiable health information (IIHI). This information was potentially exposed when users provided contact information or feedback via a Brooks website. The data transmitted could have included names, phone numbers, email addresses, computer IP addresses, other information provided in the comment section, and records of Brooks sites visited.

The tracking technology in question, specifically through the use of pixel software code, may have transmitted some IIHI. However, Brooks Rehabilitation has stated that it is unable to determine whether any of the information was actually collected and used. As a precautionary measure, Brooks has notified all individuals who logged into a Brooks website about the incident. The organization has also disabled the tracking technology vendor’s ability to access this information as of December 2022 and has no plans to use it in the future without assurance that the technology no longer has the capacity to transmit potentially identifiable information.

In response to the breach, Brooks Rehabilitation has initiated a comprehensive review of its policies and procedures related to gathering website user data. Changes will be made as needed to enhance privacy and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Individuals seeking additional information or who have concerns can contact Brooks Rehabilitation directly through provided contact numbers and email addresses[1][5].

This incident underscores the importance of data privacy and security within healthcare organizations, especially when utilizing technology that tracks user activity online. It also highlights the potential risks associated with the use of third-party vendors for enhancing website functionality and user experience.

Citations:

1. https://brooksrehab.org/news/breach-notification/
2. https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/healthcare/2024/02/11/jacksonvilles-brooks-rehabilitation-plans-26-million-bartram-park-expansion/72515958007/
3. https://www.msdlegal.com/blog/2022/12/brooks-rehabilitation-genesis-health-pixel-data-breach-investigation/
4. https://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/news/2024/feb/05/brooks-rehabilitation-plans-26-million-expansion-at-bartram-campus/
5. https://www.databreaches.net/fl-brooks-rehabilitation-notifies-patients-of-pixel-tracking-breach/
6. https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2024/02/06/brooks-rehabilitation-announces-bartram-expansion.html
7. https://brooksrehab.org/notice-of-privacy-practices/
8. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brooks-rehabilitation-continues-expansion-in-orlando-market-announces-new-physical-therapy-outpatient-clinic-in-horizon-west-301902973.html
9. https://brooksrehab.org/terms-and-conditions/
10. https://www.orangeobserver.com/news/2023/nov/30/brooks-rehabilitation-opens-new-ocoee-location/
11. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brooks-rehabilitation-named-no-1-rehabilitation-hospital-in-florida-and-among-the-top-rehabilitation-hospitals-in-the-nation-by-us-news–world-report-301895986.html
12. https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2023/07/15/brooks-rehabilitation-hold-adaptive-surfing-event/
13. https://eu.jacksonville.com/story/news/healthcare/2021/01/31/brooks-rehabilitation-open-hospital-jacksonvilles-southside/4292385001/
14. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/helius-medical-technologies-inc-announces-120000726.html