Laptop with 2,800 Northwestern Memorial patients' records stolen

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare issued a notice Friday about a possible security breach after a laptop with the records of approximately 2,800 patients was stolen.

In a news release, NMHC - which includes affiliates Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital, Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Northwestern Medical Group - revealed that on Oct. 21, a password-protected laptop containing patient information was inside an employee's vehicle that was stolen on the same date.

"Our investigation determined that the laptop may have contained patients' names, addresses, dates of birth, health insurance information, billing codes, date of services, physician's name, medical record numbers, diagnosis, treatment information, and, in some limited instances, Social Security numbers," the release said. "Patients' credit card and bank account information were not on the laptop."

NMHC sent affected patients a letter on Friday and has established a call center to answer questions.

Anyone who may have been affected has been advised to call (888) 266-9276, from 8 a.m.to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.