ENT Partners of Texas (legally known as Irving-Coppell Ear, Nose and Throat)

About this report

As the result of a burglary, a computer, two laptops, and a camera were stolen from the covered entity (CE), ENT Partners of Texas. These systems contained the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of 659 individuals. The PHI involved in the breach, included variously, names, audiology tests, dates of birth, CT scans, and clinical photographs of skin. The laptops and computer were password protected. The CE notified law enforcement as soon as the break-in was discovered. Breach notification was provided to HHS, affected individuals, and the media, and substitute notice was posted on the CE’s website and at the CE’s office. Following the breach, the CE changed the access passwords for ePHI, and the CE’s information technology (IT) provider initiated monitoring to detect whether the stolen the laptops are connected to the Internet, so that the IT provider may attempt to remotely erase the breached ePHI. Since the break-in, the CE improved physical security. The CE improved technical safeguards by installing remote wiping software on all laptops and phones and moving patient data software to a password protected and encrypted server. In addition, the CE updated its policies and procedure to prohibit public access on the CE’s wireless network and empty the contents of cameras daily. Following OCR’s investigation, the CE implemented a process for tracking security incidents and updating electronic systems.

Summary as published by the HHS Office for Civil Rights.