Insult Injury

Some University Health System patients are being notified by letter that their information may possibly have been viewed without consent.

Here is the information we received in the Channel 2 Newsroom directly from the University of Nevada:

Computer equipment from a University Health System office in Reno was stolen on June 11 and, as a result, it is possible that personal information pertaining to some patients may have been viewed without consent.

A letter is being sent to individuals whose personal information may have been viewed, and that letter will describe the information. Letters will begin arriving in mailboxes as early as Saturday. 

We take this matter very seriously and, since the theft, our priorities have been to:

• Secure the facility and further safeguard data.
• Notify those whose information may have been viewed without consent.
• Initiate a thorough investigation of the theft with the help of local and federal authorities. Anyone with information to support the investigation is asked to call University Police at 784-4013 or Secret Witness at 322-4900. As you know, callers to Secret Witness can remain anonymous. There will be a reward for information provided to Secret Witness that leads to an arrest and prosecution. 

The patients for whom this has potential implications fall into two groups:

• Some patients of University Health System in northern Nevada are being notified by letter that their information which may possibly have been viewed includes names, addresses, birth dates, social security numbers and medical information. In an abundance of caution, the University is offering a year of credit monitoring service at no cost to these patients. A sample of the letter to these patients is attached.
• Additional patients of University Health System in northern and southern Nevada are being notified by letter that their information which may possibly have been viewed includes names and patient account numbers. Because we believe only names and patient account numbers were involved, we do not believe these individuals’ personal information is at risk. Letters are being sent to notify these individuals and suggest steps they can take as a precaution. 

The University has no reason to believe that the information has been misused.  Anyone for whom this has potential applications will be sent a letter. 

The University apologizes for any inconvenience or worry this causes to those impacted.