Reward Offered for EMS Computer Containing Patient Information

November 7, 2007 – A $500 reward is being offered for the safe return of a laptop computer owned by Cabarrus County Emergency Medical Services. The lost computer is a Panasonic Tough Book 18 tablet PC version. The computer is silver encased with a black hard alloy.

The computer was lost Sunday, October 28 around 10 pm when an ambulance with Cabarrus County EMS transported a patient to Carolinas Medical Center - Northeast. The laptop was left on the back bumper of the ambulance while the ambulance was parked at the emergency bay at the hospital. It is not known whether the computer was lost at the hospital or while in transit back to the EMS station. It is also unknown whether the computer was recovered by someone or destroyed in traffic.

Officials at CMC - Northeast, Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office, Concord Police and Kannapolis Police were immediately notified in an attempt to locate the missing computer. In addition, county officials have searched locations where the computer may have been left or dropped off.

The computer contains names, addresses, phone numbers and social security numbers of approximately 28,000 people who have been cared for by Cabarrus County Emergency Medical Services over the last four years. It also contains medical information of approximately 58 individuals who have received treatment from Cabarrus County EMS between October 13 and October 28.

Information stored on the computer is protected by double passwords, so it is unlikely that if found, someone would be able to access the patient records. However, it is possible that information on the computer could be breached by an individual who has highly developed computer programming skills.

The Attorney General's Office and the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion security) have been notified of this potential security breach.

A letter was sent to every individual whose personal information was contained on the missing computer this week to inform them of the possibility of a security breach. The letter includes information from the North Carolina Attorney General's Office regarding actions that consumers should take to protect their personal information in the event of a security breach.

"I deeply regret that this preventable situation occurred. Cabarrus County is very diligent in securing protected information contained in county records, but people aren't perfect and mistakes are made. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and disruption that this has caused for those whose personal information was stored on the missing computer," said County Manager John Day.

New security measures have been implemented to prevent this situation from occurring again. In addition, new software will be purchased that will eliminate the need for patient information to be stored on the computer's hard drive.

Anyone who has information about the missing computer is asked to contact the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office at 704-920-3000.