This is an important notice for anyone who was a participant in one of the following clinical trials at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, Louisiana (“LSUHSC-NO”) administered by Dr. Lala Dunbar:

* A Safety and Efficacy Study of Blood Pressure Control in Acute Hart Failure – A Pilot Study (PRONTO); Protocol No. TMC-CLV-08-01

* A Prospective, Multi-Center, Observational Study Involving Patients Hospitalized with Complicated Skin and Soft Tissue Infections (cSSTI) for IV Antibiotic Therapy; Protocol No. CEFT-SSK-4001

* A Randomized, Double-Blind, Double Dummy, Comparative, Multicenter Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Topical Retapamulin Oitment, 1%, versus Oral Linezolid in the Treatment of Secondarily-Infected Traumatic Lesions and Impetigo Due to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Protocol No. TOC110978

* A Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicenter Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Oral CEM-101 Compared to Oral Levofloxacin in the Treatment of Patients with Community Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia; Protocol No. CE01-200

* A Phase 2,  Multi-Center, Randomized Double-Blind Study Comparing the Safety and Efficacy of Two Doses of BC-3781 versus Vancomycin in Patients with Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections; Protocol No. NAB-BC-3781-2001

On February 14, 2013, we became aware that sometime between December 20, 2012 and February 14, 2013 some of the patient files associated with the clinical trials listed above
were disposed of improperly.  These files contained information including, but not limited to, name, date of birth, social security number, address, emergency room record, and lab results. While LSUHSC-NO does not have any evidence that the information in those files were compromised, we cannot guarantee this since the actions were not documented properly.  Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, we are notifying you of the potential disclosure of your information.

However, you may still want to take additional steps to safeguard your personal information.  Information on steps to protect yourself from identity theft can be found from the Federal Trade Commission at: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/ .

LSUHSC-NO takes very seriously our role of safeguarding your personal information and using it in an appropriate manner.  LSUHSC-NO apologizes that this situation has occurred.  LSUHSC-NO is in the process of implementing additional security policies and procedures and training as part of our efforts to prevent this occurrence from happening again.

In an effort to mitigate any damage, LSUHSC-NO will offer identity theft protection for one year.  Should you wish to enroll in the service, please contact Judith Arseneaux at the LSUHSC-NO School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine using the contact information listed below.  In addition, if you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us.

LSUHSC-NO may be reached at any of the following:

By Telephone:        504-568-4615
By Email:        jarsen@lsuhsc.edu
By US mail:        
          LSUHSC-NO
          Department of Internal Medicine
          1542 Tulane Avenue, Box T4-M2
          New Orleans, LA 70112