Ex-Hospital Worker Arrested for Stealing Patient Credit Cards: A Case Study in Hospital Security and Privacy

A former employee of Baptist Health in Louisville, Kentucky has been arrested and is facing multiple theft charges after being accused of stealing credit cards from patients at the hospital. Between October and December of 2023, at least five individuals reported their credit cards missing. The suspect, Lauren Miller, was caught on camera using stolen cards while wearing scrubs at a local business.

Court documents revealed that the hospital matched Miller’s work schedule in the critical care unit to the times when the credit cards were reported stolen. This led authorities to believe that she may have been responsible for the thefts. Barry Wilkerson, St. Matthews Chief of Police, expressed concern over the impact of such thefts on patients and their families, especially when they are already dealing with health challenges.

To prevent similar incidents, Wilkerson advised patients and their loved ones to avoid bringing valuable items to the hospital. He suggested carrying only an ID and insurance card for appointments or surgeries. While he acknowledged that it may be difficult in emergencies, he stressed the importance of minimizing risk by keeping valuables at home.

Baptist Health issued a statement confirming that Miller is no longer employed by the hospital and cited privacy laws as the reason for not providing further details about her employment status or involvement in the credit card thefts investigation. The investigation into the credit card thefts is ongoing, with authorities urging patients to be cautious and take steps to protect their belongings while seeking medical care.

The incident has raised concerns about security measures in place at hospitals across Kentucky and prompted calls for better protection for patient data and belongings.