S.C. Hospital Employee Accused of Compromising Thousands of Patient, Staff Records

Bon Secours St. Francis Health System is investigating a multi-year data breach allegedly orchestrated by a staffer.   

This summer, other employees began reporting concerns regarding unpaid balances and charges to their insurance plans for a prescription cream.

Health system officials said in a statement that on Aug. 26 they became aware of "a concerning pattern of access of patient medical records by this employee."

Further investigation revealed that the employee opened patients' medical records “in a manner that was inconsistent with her job functions, hospital procedures and the training that this employee received regarding the appropriate access of patients' medical records,” officials said.

The patient information accessed included name, date of birth, driver’s license, insurance information, clinical information such as diagnosis, and potentially Social Security numbers.

“St. Francis is concerned that the access of the medical records could possibly indicate unlawful behavior,” officials said.

The employee has since been fired.