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URMC Notifies Patients About Information Shared Without Authorization

The University of Rochester Medical Center has sent letters to around 3400 patients informing them that a list containing patient information was shared with a local neurology practice.

Officials say that list was shared by a URMC nurse practitioner who did not have the authorization to do that. The list contained patient names, addresses, dates of birth and medical information. It did not have social security numbers or insurance details.

The chair of neurology for the medical center, Dr. Robert Holloway, says the list was shared by a nurse practitioner who recently announced she was leaving URMC to take a position with an outside neurology practice. She had requested the list to help ensure continuity of care for the patients she was leaving, but Holloway said she did not have permission to share the list.

That other practice, Greater Rochester Neurology, has assured URMC it did not disclose any of the information to a third party. The practice did use the list to send letters to patients, informing them that the nurse practitioner was joining their practice and advising them of the option to be treated at their facility.

But Holloway says that neurology practice has now returned the list to URMC and said it will not further use or disclose any information. He also says Greater Rochester Neurology is held to the same federal privacy requirements that URMC is.

Patients who have questions can call  1-866-329-9387, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Randy Gorbman is WXXI's director of news and public affairs. Randy manages the day-to-day operations of WXXI News on radio, television, and online.