Everett-based Western Washington Medical Group notified patients of a possible data breach between its orthopedic, sports, spine and hand patients.
Here are four points:
1. On Nov. 13, 2017, the janitorial services may have improperly disposed of some medical records. WWMG discovered the janitorial service mistakenly combined records from the group's orthopedic, sports, spine and hand shred bins with other trash throughout the office.
2. WWMG noticed the disposal error the following morning. They believe all the disposed records are now part of a landfill and patients face little risk.
3. Patients who may have been affected were contacted on the details of the breach. Information in the shred bins may have included names, addresses, diagnoses, medical history forms, appointment dates, medical history and health care insurance billing information.
4. WWMG janitorial service employees received additional training following the breach. There is no indication any information has since been used improperly.