Prisma Health notifies patients of potential data breach

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Prisma Health-Midlands is mailing letters to people whose personal information may have been involved in a data breach.

In a statement posted on its website Tuesday, Prisma Health says a team member’s login credentials to a Palmetto Health website were compromised. Prisma Health was alerted to the incident on Aug. 29 and began an investigation.

“Prisma Health determined that the compromised login credentials provided access to patient pre-registration and volunteer registration information forms previously completed on the Palmetto Health website at www.palmettohealth.org,” according to the online statement.

Prisma Health officials referred requests for comment to the online statement.

The affected personal information may include a person’s full name, address, date of birth and health information. In some instances, Prisma Health said Social Security numbers and health insurance information were affected.

While access to the affected team member’s credential access was limited to certain forms available on the Palmetto Health website, the hospital group does not yet know how long those credentials were accessible.

“Prisma Health information, such as medical records, was not accessible with these credentials, and as such, was not affected,” the company statement said.

Prisma Health said it blocked inappropriate access to the website and is enhancing its security measures, updating policies and procedures to prevent a future incident.

In September, Prisma Health reported OB/GYN patient information may have been accessed when a paper notebook was stolen from a doctor’s vehicle in July. That same day, Prisma Health also reported a paper notebook was stolen from a doctor’s vehicle in a separate incident involving the emergency department in June.

Patients and people who may have filled out forms on the Palmetto Health website are encouraged to monitor their account statements. Patients can call 1-888-479-9996 with questions or concerns.