Emory warns patients of potential security breach

ATLANTA - Emory Healthcare officials have notified thousands of patients about a potential breach of patient information.

Emory has sent letters to 7,300 patients, and said that personal information from 32 patients had been stolen.

Investigators say they found stacks of fraudulent tax returns, stolen checks and Social Security numbers at a Gwinnett County home in April. Authorities say the hospital bills of 32 patients of Emory Orthopedic Clinic were included the documents found there.

Hospital spokesman Lance Skelly said the patient documents included information such as Social Security numbers of dates of birth.

He said that of the 32 patients whose bills were recovered, nine patients had fraudulent tax returns filed in their names.

Police are investigating the case.