A large network of hospitals says hackers have stolen the personal information of 4.5 million patients, including in Florida.
Community Health Systems (CHS) operates more than 200 hospitals across the country.
The company said hackers from China broke into its computers and stole the names, Social Security numbers, birthdates, addresses and telephone numbers of 4.5 million patients.
The patients affected by the cyber-attack are patients who were referred to or seen at some physician practices affiliated with some of Community Health System hospitals.
In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the company says the attack happened in April and June of this year.
CHS operates 26 hospitals throughout the state, including:
- Bartow -- Bartow Regional Medical Center
- Brooksville -- Bayfront Health Brooksville
- Crystal River -- Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center
- Dade City -- Bayfront Health Dade City
- Davenport -- Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center
- Lake Wales -- Lake Wales Medical Center
- Melbourne – Wuesthoff Health System
- Ocala -- Munroe Regional Medical Center
- Rockledge – Wuesthoff Health System
- Spring Hill -- Bayfront Health Spring Hill
- St. Cloud -- St. Cloud Regional Medical Center
- St. Petersburg -- Bayfront Health St. Petersburg
St. Cloud Regional Medical Center issued a statement:
"We take very seriously the security and confidentiality of private patient information and sincerely regret any concern or inconvenience to patients."
Community Health Systems Inc. says they have removed all of the malware from its network and added protection against future attacks. The company confirms none of the stolen data included credit cards or medical information.
CHS said it plans to notify the affected patients and offer identity theft protection.