Dumpster Diving Data Disaster

Incidents of health data breaches caused by improper disposal of paper, X-ray film and electronic media are still an issue, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. Since September 2009, there have been at least 52 such incidents that exposed the data of 500 or more patients. Training employees on appropriate disposal of confidential information, or securely disposing of all trash, are good ways to avoid the issue, says privacy attorney Adam Greene. State and federal authorities have issued millions in penalties for such cases, among them the $9.87 million fine levied against Safeway in California for improperly disposing of confidential pharmacy records and hazardous waste.