Notice of Data Privacy Event

Kent Hospital (“Kent”) is providing notice of an event that may affect the confidentiality of one patient’s information. Kent is providing details of the event, our response, and steps individuals may take to better protect their information, should they feel it appropriate to do so.

What Happened? Kent is committed to protecting the security and confidentiality of our patient’s information. On February 20, 2026, Kent became aware that medical records (“Records”) were found by the United States Postal Service (“USPS”). Records were sent by Kent to a third party as part of a records request. Though the printed Records were packaged and mailed properly and in accordance with Kent guidelines, the contents of the package were found by the USPS loose in their mail. The USPS collected the loose Records and returned them to Kent.

What Information Was Involved. The Records included name, date of birth, medical record number, diagnosis, lab and other results, medications, and contents of medical notes for an encounter in 2025. Financial information, such as payment card information, and Social Security number, was not involved.

What We are Doing. We take this event very seriously; Kent launched an investigation and followed up with USPS. Additionally, Kent has made enhancements to its packaging of medical records to prevent a reoccurrence

What Affected Individuals Can Do. Although Kent is not aware of any misuse of the information, we encourage the individual to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft and fraud, to review account statements and explanation of benefits forms, and monitor free credit reports for suspicious activity, and detect errors. The affected individual can find out more about how to better protect against the potential misuse of information below.

For More Information. If affected individual has any questions regarding this event, they may call 833-753-4934, Option 5, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time or email cnecompliance@carene.org

Steps You Can Take to Help Protect Personal Information

Monitor Your Accounts

Under U.S. law, a consumer is entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. Consumers may also directly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below to request a free copy of their credit report.

Consumers have the right to place an initial or extended “fraud alert” on a credit file at no cost. An initial fraud alert is a one-year alert that is placed on a consumer’s credit file. Upon seeing a fraud alert display on a consumer’s credit file, a business is required to take steps to verify the consumer’s identity before extending new credit. If a consumer is a victim of identity theft, they are entitled to an extended fraud alert, which is a fraud alert lasting seven years. Should consumers wish to place a fraud alert, please contact any one of the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below.

As an alternative to a fraud alert, consumers have the right to place a “credit freeze” on a credit report, which will prohibit a credit bureau from releasing information in the credit report without the consumer’s express authorization. The credit freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in a consumer’s name without consent. Consumers should be aware, however, that using a credit freeze to take control over who gets access to the personal and financial information in your credit report may delay, interfere with, or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent request or application you make regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, or any other account involving the extension of credit. Pursuant to federal law, consumers cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on their credit report. To request a security freeze, consumers will need to provide the following information:

1. Full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.);

2. Social Security number;

3. Date of birth;

4. Addresses for the prior two to five years;

5. Proof of current address, such as a current utility bill or telephone bill;

6. A legible photocopy of a government-issued identification card (state driver’s license or ID card, etc.); and

7. A copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft if you are a victim of identity theft.

Should consumers wish to place a credit freeze or fraud alert, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:

Additional Information

Consumers may further educate themselves regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps they can take to protect personal information by contacting the consumer reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission, or your state attorney general. The Federal Trade Commission may be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. Consumers can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information listed above. Consumers have the right to file a police report if they ever experience identity theft or fraud. To file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, consumers will likely need to provide some proof that they have been a victim. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement and the relevant state attorney general. This notice has not been delayed by law enforcement.