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A radiologist accessed patient radiology reports on the Groffin hospital's PACS using the passwords of other radiologists and an employee within the radiology department.

Griffin Hospital has notified 957 patients of an apparent breach of personal protected health information using PACS during the period from Feb. 4 to March 5, after an investigation prompted by patient inquiries revealed the breach.

From the investigation conducted by Griffin, it appears the radiologist who gained unauthorized access scanned the PACS directory listings of 957 patients who had radiology studies performed at Griffin during the period and selected and downloaded the image files of 339 of these patients.

On and after Feb. 26, Griffin received inquiries on behalf of patients regarding unsolicited contact by the physician who offered to perform professional services at another area hospital despite the patients' interest in having those services provided at Griffin. The inquiries prompted the investigation that revealed unauthorized intrusions into Griffin's PACS and, thereby, the breach of protected patient health information.

The physician was formerly a member of Griffin’s medical staff who had been employed by the radiology group with which Griffin contracted for its radiology professional services. During that time, the physician had authorized access to the PACS. Thereafter, the physician's employment with the radiology group was terminated on Feb. 3. That resulted in the loss of his medical staff appointment at Griffin Hospital and his authorization to access PACS. At the same time as the physician's PACS access was terminated his access password was revoked, according to the hospital.

Source : CMIO

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