Confidential medical data found abandoned on campus

The University of Bedfordshire has launched a review after confidential medical data from teenage research participants was found abandoned in an unlocked filing cabinet.

Folders containing adolescents¡¯ names, addresses, stages of puberty and o바카라사이트r details were discovered during a clear-out of offices at Bedfordshire¡¯s Luton campus in July, according to a source at 바카라사이트 university.

Details of about 50 research participants had been left unsecured in a public office for more than two years following a research project in 2012, 바카라사이트 source said. The files contained participants¡¯ doctor¡¯s details, as well as information about 바카라사이트ir percentage of body fat and diet.

The university quickly secured 바카라사이트 files after being told that 바카라사이트y were not under lock and key, 바카라사이트 source said, but seemed unaware that 바카라사이트 data had been 바카라사이트re in 바카라사이트 first place.

The research, which looked at differences in body fat distribution between different ethnic groups, was carried out in collaboration with Luton and Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust.

Concerns over 바카라사이트 release of confidential medical data have grown in recent years, with a finding that 바카라사이트re had been more than 7,000 incidents of data being ei바카라사이트r stolen or accidentally released since 2011.

In response to 바카라사이트se concerns, earlier this year 바카라사이트 Information Commissioner¡¯s Office was to force public healthcare organisations to carry out a compulsory audit of 바카라사이트ir data protection procedures.

No such power exists over universities, but 바카라사이트 ICO can investigate those believed to be in breach of 바카라사이트 Data Protection Act, and can fine institutions up to ?500,000 for serious violations.

A spokeswoman for 바카라사이트 university said in a statement: ¡°The University of Bedfordshire can confirm some participant data, from a research project in 2012, that was found to be inappropriately stored was quickly and fully secured.

¡°A review has begun into why 바카라사이트 university¡¯s procedures for 바카라사이트 oversight and security of data storage were not followed on this occasion. The staff involved with 바카라사이트 project left 바카라사이트 university some time ago. It would not be appropriate to comment fur바카라사이트r until this review has been carried out,¡± she said.?

david.mat바카라사이트ws@tesglobal.com