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Natera's Signatera test info
Signatera testing, is a very good and valuable test yet patients need to be very concerned about the home draw. They hire phlebotomists who use their PERSONAL CELL phone to take photos of your filled blood vials, paperwork which has your name, address, CA diagnosis listed, doctor's name, all of your HIPPA protected PHI (Personal Health Information). The photos are not secure or protected.
The concerns are:
1) Who else & what apps have access to their PERSONAL CELL photo files?
2) How are the photos transmitted to Signatera, what platform is used, if it is SMS it may not be end-to-end encrypted.
3) The photos of your HIPPA protected PHI remains forever on their personal cell phone. Every patient should be very concerned about #3.
If the draw is done at an MD or hospital no photos are taken and the patient can take the package to FedEx themselves or the MD/hospital uses their FedEx pick-up.
The question is why are home draws subjected to separate photo rules, why aren't their phlebotomists trusted with taking the draw without photos. I have asked these questions and after multiple emails cannot get a clear answer from Natera - Signatera. Please join me in objecting to photos being taken with personal cell phones. Thank you.
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Is this the test for hvp. If so, I have had 3 so far and no photos were taken.
@catsanddogs2025, as I replied in another discussion, your privacy should be protected when working with health providers. I can understand that you are concerned about your health data, security and privacy. Photos on a personal phone are not secure or encrypted. Health data transmitted on your behalf by health providers should only be sent through a secure, encrypted portal.
I recommend that you contact Natera, the company responsible for the Signatera test. https://www.natera.com/company/contact-us/
You might also wish to let your doctor know about this breach.
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5 ReactionsPlease see my post in another location.
I have had numerous emails with the Signatera's Patient Coordinator and Phlebotomist Manager, both insisting personal cell phone photos are taken with home draws and are required and Signatera's their policy. Both refuse to answer questions regarding security and encryption, etc.
One Phlebotomist's was using the same cell phone for her Hair Salon Business.
I am 3 days past my draw date. To contact their Privacy Officer a letter must be mailed, no email is provide on Signatera or Natera website. If anyone has an email, I'd greatly appreciate
There is an address in their Privacy Policy
https://www.natera.com/privacy/ See item 17 "Actions you may take"
Chief Privacy Officer
Natera, Inc.
201 Industrial Road, Suite 410
San Carlos, CA 94070
United States of America
Tel: +1 (650) 249-9090
And I found this information in section 7. EXCERPT
"7. How We Protect Your Information
Natera takes appropriate security measures to protect your PI against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or misuse. All of our Sites use secure certificates and TLS (Transport Layer Security), so that users’ data is encrypted and protected during transmission. Likewise, access to PI maintained on our servers is protected through the use of both physical and logical security measures, to include restricting access to PI to only when there is a business need for such access. Natera’s security program meets the SOC 2 Type II and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) and is certified by an independent public accounting firm. We use industry-standard controls and NIST compliant encryption technologies to maintain the security of sensitive information during transfer and storage of such information in our systems.
Please note that while Natera takes reasonable measures to protect the security of your PI, Natera cannot guarantee the complete avoidance of security incidents. To learn more about current practices and policies regarding security and how we protect confidentiality when providing the services, please contact us at security@natera.com."
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3 ReactionsSince I am 3 days overdue for the Signatera test, I thought mailing a letter would take too long. I did not see the email you noted in your post (security at natera.com.) I will send an email tomorrow.
Yes, I saw and read their "How We Protect Your Information" and what they write and claim sounds great but that is not happening and Signatera - Natera is hiring (I presume) per diem or independent contractor Phlebotomists requiring them to take photos using their private cell phone.
The Patient Care Coordinator and the Phlebotomy Manager, in emails, have stated the Phlebotomist are to use their cell phones. Both the Coordinator and Phlebotomy Manager have refused to answer any questions regarding security and all the items in paragraph #7 above, in fact they have ignored my questions and continue to prompt me to get the draw done.
Also while the emails were being sent, the Coordinator and Phlebotomy Manager gave my phone number to a Phlebotomist who has called me two times to make an appointment.
I included this statement found on the Natera site in my emails, "we want you to feel comfortable whenever you interact with Natera" which received no acknowledgment.
Please let me reiterate, this is happening with HOME DRAW not a draw in a medical facility.
Oncologist has been using Natera blood tests to follow my cancer for over a year. I have no concerns; it appears to be giving valuable information. With all of the tests, scans and invasive procedures I have had since my two cancers were diagnosed Natera tests are the least of my concerns.
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1 ReactionI recently had to send documentation to a large tax company. Most of you would know the name. They wanted me to take pictures of the documentation, using their app, on my cellphone. No pictures exist on my phone. They exist on the tax company's system. They believe it is the safest way to send and protect data. It is becoming more common in the financial industry. Maybe Natera is using similar technology?