Contact: Lisa Brunette
608-263-5830
lbrunette@uwhealth.org
Madison, Wisconsin – UW-Madison announced today that it is notifying a group of patients about an incident in which information that should have been mailed in sealed envelopes was instead sent to them via postcard.
On July 10, 2017, UW-Madison’s Department of Family Medicine and Community Health mailed postcards with a request to certain patients to participate in a quality improvement survey project. The postcards contained recipients’ names and mailing addresses, and referenced prescription medications and family planning services. No other identifiable information was included.
Those who believe they may be affected but who have not received a letter by September 15 should call 1-800-939-4170, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. CST.
After learning of the situation, UW-Madison officials began an immediate review. Today (Sept. 7), they mailed letters to affected patients about the incident and also established a dedicated call center to answer questions. In addition, UW-Madison is reinforcing educational efforts with the offices and individuals involved. For more information, please visit www.compliance.wisc.edu/hipaa.
