The UAB School of Nursing has informed 1,655 patients this week of an incident in which a study recruitment postcard sent to the patients inadvertently shared protected health information (PHI). The postcard – intended to encourage participation in a survey related to a breast cancer diagnosis – displayed the patient’s first and last name, address and inferred their diagnosis.
A letter sent to affected patients offered an apology for the error, included the nature of the breach and the information at risk, and reiterated the institution’s commitment to patients, as well as steps taken in response to the incident.
“UAB takes the protection of our patients’ and study participants’ privacy and information very seriously,” the letter read. “Please know that appropriate actions have and will continue to be taken to prevent this type of incident from occurring in the future.”
Patients who received the postcards live in Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair and Walker counties. The investigators became aware of the PHI breach on May 29, 2024.
Patients who received a notification letter from the school can call, toll-free, 1-833-706-6324 with any questions.