Hospital Breach Affects Thousands of Patients

Healthcare and Public Health // Virginia, USA

A "cybersecurity breach" at a third-party vendor may have compromised the information of thousands of patients at a Virginia hospital.

Over 5,450 vascular and/or thoracic patients seen between 2012 and 2015 have been affected, according to a spokesperson from the Charlottesville, Virginia-located Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, The Associated Press reported.

The breach may include names, medical record numbers, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, procedure information, demographic information and medications, AP said.

The hospital is working with law enforcement, the vendor and a cybersecurity company to investigate the incident. Those affected by the breach will receive notification on how to protect themselves, according to AP.