Data breach at Sinai Health System put personal info of nearly 13,000 people at risk

The health care network said someone gained unauthorized access to two employee email accounts.

SHARE Data breach at Sinai Health System put personal info of nearly 13,000 people at risk
Data breach at Sinai Health Systems compromises the personal information of nearly 13,000 people

Data breach at Sinai Health Systems compromises the personal information of nearly 13,000 people

Sun-Times file photo

Sinai Health System has notified the federal government of a data breach that exposed the personal information of 12,578 people.

The health care network said in a news release the breach happened Oct. 16 after “an unknown third party gained unauthorized access to two employee email accounts.”

A letter was sent to patients notifying them their names, addresses, date of births, Social Security numbers, health information or health insurance information were left exposed during that period of “unauthorized access.”

The hacking incident was reported Dec. 13 to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights. Federal law requires health care providers report breaches of protected health information of 500 people or more within 60 days.

Sinai Health Systems declined to comment further but said in a news release it conducted an investigation and “found no evidence that any patient’s information was removed from Sinai Health System’s email accounts or systems.”

The health care network said it has taken precautions to prevent future hackings that include resetting employee email passwords, training employees and improving email filtering processes.

Sinai Health System consists of Sinai Medical Group, Holy Cross Hospital, Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital, which serve the West and Southwest Sides.

Patients who want to learn more about the incident can call toll free 833-991-0975. The call center is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Manny Ramos is a corps member in Report for America, a not-for-profit journalism program that aims to bolster Sun-Times coverage of issues affecting Chicago’s South and West sides.

The Latest
Despite getting into foul trouble, which limited him to just six minutes in the second half, Shannon finished with 29 points, five rebounds and two assists.
Cowboy hats, bell-bottoms and boots were on full display Thursday night as fans lined up for the first of his three sold-out shows.
The incident occurred about 3:40 p.m. near Minooka. The horse was successfully placed back into the trailer, and the highway reopened about 40 minutes later. No injuries were reported.
The Hawks conceded the game’s only two goals within the first seven minutes and were shut out for the 12th time this season in a 2-0 defeat Thursday.
Eileen O’Neill Burke is leading Clayton Harris III, 50.15% to 49.85%, a margin that changed only by hundredths of a percentage point, after city and suburban officials tallied more mail-in ballots Thursday.