**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah is notifying 607 patients of a potential disclosure of some of their information following a theft of electronic equipment.
On April 3, 2018, the Moran Eye Center learned a laptop computer and an associated external storage device used to take and store retinal images were stolen from locked storage at 65 Mario Capecchi Drive in Salt Lake City.
Moran has now determined the devices contained limited patient information for 602 infants and 5 adults who had images taken by Moran specialists conducting evaluations at the University of Utah Hospital and Primary Children's Hospital between July 1, 2014 and March 30, 2018.
The Moran equipment stored the following information:
- Retinal images
- Full or partial name
- Date of birth
- Medical reference number, used to identify records within the University of Utah Health medical records system
No social security numbers or any financial information were stored on either device. Impacted patients and parents or guardians will receive letters by U.S. mail. They may call toll-free to 855-349-6456 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. MDT Monday through Friday with any questions, or to receive information about enrollment in free credit monitoring services.
A police investigation into the theft is ongoing. The Moran Eye Center is improving its policy and procedures and enhancing security measures to reduce the risk of an event like this from occurring again.