Laptop contained patient records

PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 14 (UPI) -- A laptop computer stolen in Chicago may have contained the health records of nearly 890 patients of the Oregon Health & Science University, officials say.

The computer belonged to a university employee traveling in Chicago on business, The (Portland) Oregon reported Saturday.

The computer was password-protected and did not contain Social Security numbers, addresses or treatments, the university said in a letter notifying patients of the theft.

As a precaution against information theft, the records of the 890 patients have been flagged in the university's system to ensure requests about them automatically receive greater attention from security officials, the Oregonian reported.