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(Randy Rasmussen / Oregonian)

Oregon Health & Science University notified 3,044 patients by letter Friday that their health information had been stored in Google's cloud computing system, though there is no evidence that the data was improperly accessed.

The information that was stored through Google has been removed, according to an OHSU press release.

The affected patients were admitted to the hospital between Jan. 1, 2011, and July 3, 2013.

OHSU discovered in May that physicians in training in the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery were keeping patient information in a Google-based spreadsheet. An investigation found that the Division of Urology and Kidney Transplant Services were also storing patient information this way.

The data was password-protected with security measures, but OHSU does not have a contractual relationship with Google to store patient information.

The data included the patients' names, medical record numbers, dates of service, ages, providers' names and diagnoses or prognoses, according to the release. Addresses were also included for 731 patients.

However, 617 patients' information did not include the reason for their hospital stays, diagnoses, prognoses or projected outcomes.

The data did not include Social Security Numbers, insurance information, payment information, phone numbers or dates of birth.

Google's terms of service state that data can be used for the "purpose of operating, promoting, and improving our Services, and to develop new ones." OHSU has not been able to confirm that Google has not or will not use the patient health information for those purposes, according to the release.

"We do not believe this incident will result in identity theft or financial harm," said John Rasmussen, OHSU's Chief Information Security Officer, in a statement. "However, in the interest of patient security and transparency and our obligation to report unauthorized access to personal health information to federal agencies, we are contacting all affected patients. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or worry this may cause our patients or their families."

Patients with questions or concerns can call 877-819-9774 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

-- Nicole Friedman