[Dataloss] TX: Doctors Left Behind Medical Files and Waste

[Michael Hill, CITRMS]

http://www.newschannel5.tv/2007/12/4/983388/Doctors-Left-Behind-Medical-Files-and-Waste
Texas Medical Board may launch investigation 

MCALLEN - A realtor says a pair of doctors left an office filled with medical files and waste. 

"I don't know where to go," says realtor Vicki Chrysler. "There's biohazards. There's blood. There's needles everywhere." 

Chrysler is the builder owner's realtor agent. She tells us Dr. Jorge Trevino and Dr. James Stewart left the mess when they moved over three weeks ago. 

"These are blood samples of I don't know what," she says. 

NEWSCHANNEL 5 found about a dozen vials of blood on the floor of what used to be the McAllen Primary Care Clinic. Medical files, equipment, binders, and bank statements were scattered on the floor. There were also containers full of prescription medicines. 

Chrysler says, "I'm not in the medical field, but I can pretty much tell they are patients files." 

The offices had thousands of X-rays and medical records with names, addresses, phone number, social security numbers, and other personal information. 

"I don't know what to do with it," says the realtor, "I need to get it out of here, but I need the proper way of doing it." 

Chrysler says never got a response when she asked why the mess was left. She had even offered to open the office for them. 

NEWSCHANNEL 5 went to the doctors' new office. No one returned our calls. 

We contacted the Texas Medical Board. A spokesman tells use the messy office poses public danger. People's records are vulnerable to identity theft, and potential HIPPA confidentiality laws could be violated. 

Investigators could find the doctors guilty of unprofessional conduct. 

The Texas Medical Board spokesman says the enforcement department will hear about these concerns and could launch an investigation. 

Just before our story aired, Chrysler called us to say she'd been contacted by the doctor. He told her he'd have the mess cleaned up tomorrow.







Michael Hill 
Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist
IDT Consultants
404-216-3751


"If You Think You're Not At Risk, Think Again!"
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