Breach after patient data posted online

The protected health information of 1,350 surgical patients at Sonoma Valley Hospital in California was accidentally uploaded to the hospital’s website, where it remained for more than two months. The information included names, dates of care, medical procedures, surgeon, hospital financial charges, and insurance company data. The breach was discovered on April 17, and officials have apologized to the affected patients and are taking steps to strengthen policies and controls. California data breaches have compromised the protected health information of 4.2 million patients since August 2009.