Georgia Hand, Shoulder & Elbow, PC

Georgia Hand, Shoulder & Elbow, P.C. (GHSE), an orthopedic practice based in Georgia, experienced a data breach that was disclosed to a select group of current and former patients. The breach was reported on November 7, 2023, indicating that unauthorized access to patient information had occurred[2]. This incident adds GHSE to the list of healthcare providers that have faced cybersecurity challenges, highlighting the ongoing risks associated with the protection of sensitive health information in the digital age.

The breach at GHSE is part of a broader trend of cyberattacks targeting healthcare organizations. For example, Peachtree Orthopedics in Atlanta, GA, also experienced a cyberattack, with the forensic investigation confirming unauthorized access to a wide range of personal and medical information[4]. This incident was attributed to the Karakurt threat group, which claimed responsibility and threatened to publish the data if a ransom was not paid[4]. Similarly, Peachtree Orthopedics faced another data breach in 2023, affecting nearly 35,000 patients, with patients being notified about the breach three months after the company became aware of it[15].

These incidents underscore the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and prompt breach notification practices within the healthcare sector. They also highlight the potential legal and reputational consequences for healthcare providers that fail to protect patient information adequately. In response to such breaches, affected individuals are often offered credit monitoring and identity protection services, and healthcare providers typically review and enhance their data protection policies to prevent future incidents[14][15].

The breach at GHSE serves as a reminder of the critical need for healthcare organizations to continuously evaluate and improve their cybersecurity posture to protect against unauthorized access and ensure the confidentiality and integrity of patient information.

Citations:

1. https://www.gahand.org
2. https://k1intelligence.com/georgia-hand-shoulder-elbow-suffers-data-breach/
3. https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/ga-court-of-appeals/2183531.html
4. https://www.hipaajournal.com/peachtree-orthopedics-suffers-data-theft-and-extortion-incident/
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3725777/
6. https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/peachtree-orthopedics-posts-notice-of-6445543/
7. https://dhs.georgia.gov/press-releases/2020-10-09/dhs-notifies-customers-about-breach-confidential-information
8. https://www.linkedin.com/in/s-lynn-wolff-a86b115
9. https://www.databreaches.net/peachtree-orthopedics-alerts-patients-of-cyberattack-third-patient-data-breach-in-seven-years/
10. https://www.gahand.org/testimonials
11. https://www.gahand.org/privacy-policy
12. https://www.turkestrauss.com/2023/05/25/peachtree-orthopedics-data-breach-investigation/
13. https://www.gahand.org/services/dislocation
14. https://peachtreeorthopedics.com/notice/
15. https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/peachtree-orthopedics-patients-told-latest-data-breach-months-after-company-aware/85-54ea4110-3b71-4346-b1a5-dfdd1b51a5f2
16. https://www.castleconnolly.com/top-doctors/h-mcmillan-starr-hand-surgery-cc65051
17. https://www.gahand.org/terms-and-conditions
18. https://www.msdlegal.com/blog/2023/06/peachtree-orthopedics-data-breach-class-action-investigation/
19. https://gahandeducation.com/location
20. https://www.beckersspine.com/orthopedic-spine-practices-improving-profits/58612-11-orthopedic-data-breaches-in-2023.html
21. https://doctor.webmd.com/doctor/randall-alexander-40fdce73-d456-45eb-b1ea-3d98181e0445-overview
22. https://www.linkedin.com/in/latrice-palmer-869b9926