DAKOTA DUNES | Patient privacy likely was breached when Siouxland Pain Clinic's computer system was hacked, the clinic's attorney said in a news release Friday afternoon.
The release said it's "highly likely" patients' health and other personal information was exposed when a "foreign hacker" accessed the clinic's server between March 26 and April 2.
"At this point, we have no evidence that any data has been misused," said the statement, which was emailed to the Journal from Lonnie Braun, a personal injury attorney in Rapid City, S.D.
The statement said the clinic was notified of the security breach June 26. It did not say how many patients may be affected or whether the clinic has notified them.
Braun's office said he was not available for comment, and the clinic declined to provide further information.
The release said the clinic has since hired a national cyber security firm to evaluate the attack and provide advice on preventing future security breaches.
Braun recommended patients call credit bureaus Equifax, Experian and Trans Union to protect themselves from possible fraud. The release said a call center has been set up to answer questions at 877-332-6271.
"A new IT provider has been hired and all reasonable practices and safeguards are being employed to safeguard patient information," the statement said.
The clinic, at 101 Tower Road in Dakota Dunes, provides treatment for a variety of painful conditions.
