Lexington Clinic is notifying 1,018 patients of a privacy breach involving a stolen laptop containing patients' names, contact information, and diagnoses.

Someone stole the laptop from Lexington Clinic's Neurology Department located in the St. Joseph Office Park at 1401 Harrodsburg Road on December 7. All of the patients affected were receiving services within the neurology department.

According to a release from Lexington Clinic, the stolen laptop did not contain the personal financial information of patients, such as Social Security Numbers, credit card numbers and bank account numbers.

The company says it immediately notified law enforcement authorities once it learned of the theft, and all door locks to the neurology department were changed. Lexington Clinic is actively working with the St. Joseph security officials to further assess security of offices located in the St. Joseph Office Park.

Lexington Clinic is notifying, by letter, all patients who may be affected by this theft. If you have been or currently are a patient of the Lexington Clinic Neurology Department, and you did not receive a letter regarding this incident, your information was not included on the stolen laptop. There is no evidence thus far that any patient information has been misused, however, Lexington Clinic advises patients to follow the steps recommended by the Federal Trade Commission to prevent misuse of personal information:

Lexington Clinic advises patients to stay alert for signs of identity theft, such as accounts they didn't open and debts on their accounts that they can't explain; fraudulent or inaccurate information on credit reports, including accounts and personal information, such as your Social Security number, address(es), name or initials and employers; failing to receive bills or other mail; receiving credit cards that you didn't apply for; being denied credit, or being offered less favorable credit terms, like a high interest rate, for no apparent reason; and getting calls or letters from debt collectors or businesses about merchandise or services you didn't buy.

For additional information Lexington Clinic patients are encouraged to call toll-free at 1 (877) 851-2562. Local patients may call (859) 258-5888.