LAKE COUNTY ? Eleven people received letters sent on June 24 from Sutter Lakeside Hospital (SLH) informing them the admitting department was broken into and cash and checks were stolen on May 28.
The letter advised that a “possible misuse of personal information,” may have taken place. Siri Nelson, chief administrative officer of SLH, said no patients” protected health information was compromised.
The theft amounted to $3,100, according to Nelson.
She said an internal investigation took place and that none of the 11 people called to report misuse of banking information to date.
Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) Public Information Officer James Bauman said, “We were unable to locate any record of the hospital reporting anything to LCSO.”
Nelson said the hospital has taken additional security steps to safeguard assets and an internal investigation is complete. She did not disclose the name of the person responsible.
Lake County Deputy District Attorney, Richard Hinchcliff said no investigators were available Friday to ask, but he is not aware of anything being referred to the office.
The letter recommended that those affected contact a check verification company, such as Telecheck, to place a fraud alert on accounts and all three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.
Nelson said, “We do take it very seriously,” but declined to provide details of the matter.
“We”ve taken all the steps we can to make sure that this never happens again,” she said. “The hospital is out $3,100, not the patients. The hospital is making good on the money. The patients accounts have all been credited.”
Nelson said all patients affected were contacted.
She thinks overall the hospital does very well by its patients.
For further questions regarding this matter, contact SLH Public Relations Specialist Angie Lagle at 262-5121.
