Kennedy University Hospital, Inc. t/a Jefferson Health

Kennedy University Hospital, Inc., doing business as Jefferson Health in New Jersey, experienced a data breach that was publicly disclosed in August 2023. The breach involved a missing portable drive from Jefferson Health’s Cherry Hill location. This drive contained sensitive patient information, including full names, dates of birth, medical record numbers, and mailing addresses. The exact number of affected patients was not disclosed, but the hospital has urged those potentially impacted to monitor their credit reports and place a fraud alert on their reports as a precautionary measure[1].

Jefferson Health has taken steps to notify patients whose information may have been compromised and is reviewing and enhancing its security protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. Patients with concerns were advised to contact a dedicated, toll-free call center established by Jefferson Health[1][14].

This incident underscores the importance of robust data protection measures, especially for healthcare providers who handle sensitive personal and medical information. It also highlights the potential risks associated with the use of portable storage devices and the need for strict controls and monitoring to safeguard patient data.

Citations:

1. https://www.fox29.com/news/hospital-officials-warn-of-possible-data-breach-at-jefferson-health-in-cherry-hill
2. https://www.jeffersonhealth.org/privacy-practices
3. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/nj-nurse-can-pursue-her-fmla-disability-claims-former-ty-hyderally?trk=pulse-article_more-articles_related-content-card
4. https://law.justia.com/cases/new-jersey/appellate-division-published/2022/a-3361-20.html
5. https://www.jeffersonhealth.org/about-us/news/2023/08/notice-to-patients-of-privacy-incident
6. https://blackkite.com/data-breaches-caused-by-third-parties/
7. https://casetext.com/case/leblanc-v-thomas-jefferson-univ-hosps
8. https://casetext.com/case/foster-v-kennedy-univ-hosp
9. https://www.jeffersonhealth.org/home
10. https://law.justia.com/cases/new-jersey/appellate-division-unpublished/2022/a-0210-21.html
11. https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/new-jersey/njdce/1:2021cv12735/475743/36/
12. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kennedy-health-and-jefferson-sign-definitive-agreement-300311440.html
13. https://www.law.com/njlawjournal/almID/1681326322NJ121CV12/?download=119119757904_033123.pdf
14. https://www.courierpostonline.com/story/news/health/2023/08/15/jefferson-health-cherry-hill-hospital-data-breach/70599294007/
15. https://apps.web.maine.gov/online/aeviewer/ME/40/list.shtml
16. https://www.phillyvoice.com/jefferson-kennedy-health-take-step-toward-completion-merger/
17. https://www.employmentlit.com/2022/08/11/nj-nurse-can-pursue-her-fmla-and-disability-discrimination-claims-against-her-former-employer-kennedy-university-hospital/
18. https://trellis.law/doc/175455787/answer-w-jury-demand-submitted-by-foley-lora-m-parker-mccay-pa-on-behalf-thomas-jefferson-univ-hosp-inc-thomas-jefferson-univ-hosp-jefferson-universityphysicia-n-jefferson-health-jefferson-health-system-inc-et-al-against-jessica-m-sullivan-jess
19. https://www.jeffersonhealth.org/content/dam/health2021/documents/financial/new-jersey-financial-statements/kennedy-university-hospital-inc-2020-form-990-public-disclosure-copy-afs.pdf