Central Texas Hospital System Says Computer Stolen

A Central Texas medical group has notified Austin police about the theft of a laptop computer with personal data from patients.

Officials with Seton Healthcare Family on Tuesday announced the theft and its commitment to maintaining the privacy and confidentiality of patient information.

Seton authorities on Oct. 4 discovered a computer was stolen from Seton McCarthy Clinic in Austin. The computer has information about patients seen at Seton McCarthy, Seton Topfer and Seton Kozmetsky community health centers and the Seton Total Health Partners program.

The company didn’t immediately say how many patients are listed in the computer, which due to a glitch during installation does not have required encrypted software.

Seton has offered free identity theft protection for a year to impacted patients, who will also receive a letter.