On October 18, 2010, Northridge Hospital Medical Center discovered that a package sent thru a national courier containing information for 716 Medicare and Medi-Cal patients was damaged in transit, potentially exposing patient information to courier employees. We have no reason to believe that the information left the confines of the courier’s facilities.
Northridge Hospital has sent letters offering credit monitoring services to all Medicare and Medi-Cal patients whose personal/sensitive information may have been exposed. If you were a patient between September 2004 and June 2006 and have not received a letter or have questions, please contact 1-818-885-5321.
The documents may have contained patient names, addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, guarantor social security number, date of birth, date of death, medical record number, admission and discharge dates, discharge summary, physician, procedure, notes for pregnancy-related emergency, admission, financial account number, provider number, insurance ID, Medicare or Medi-Cal charges billed and paid, hospital room and board charges, Medi-Cal ID number, California Children's Services Authorization, and Medi-Cal Treatment Authorization.
Because the documents included personal information we have recommended that affected patients take proactive steps to protect their credit by monitoring their credit reports. We are offering patients a free service that will assist them in protecting their identity and their credit information.
We apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused our patients. We have reviewed our hospital security procedures and policies, and we are working with FedEx to make sure this doesn't happen again.
