Children's Health

Spectrum Health Notifies Parents of Stolen Camera

Grand Rapids, Mich (August 3, 2017) — Spectrum Health is in the process of notifying the parents of approximately 900 pediatric patients that a camera used by a physician to photograph the patients’ dermatological conditions has been stolen. Patients were seen at the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital dermatology clinics in Grand Rapids and Lansing.

 A personal camera used by a pediatric dermatologist was stolen from the physician’s car on June 22, 2017. It contained photos dating back to mid-February of this year and is thought to contain photographs of patients’ skin conditions along with the patients’ names, dates of birth, dates of service and medical record numbers. Police were notified; however, to date, the camera has not been recovered.

The information on the camera did not include patients’ Social Security Numbers or any other sensitive financial information, such as health plan or insurance card numbers.

Spectrum Health is investigating and responding to this matter, working with all of its providers to ensure they are collecting and using patient photographs in an approved, secure manner. We regret any concern or frustration this incident may cause the affected patients and their families and are taking steps to prevent this from happening again.

For questions regarding this issue, the public may call 844.689.2875 or visit helendevoschildrens.org/moreinfo.

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Contact:
Ellen Bristol
External Affairs Manager
Office: 616.391.4399
Mobile: 616.581.6474
Email: ellen.bristol@corewellhealth.org