HHS OCR report · 2017
Northwest Rheumatology data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Northwest Rheumatology
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Arizona
- Individuals affected
- 7,468
- Submission date
- Jul 31, 2017
- Type of breach
- Hacking/IT Incident
- Location of breached information
- Network Server
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
On April 10, 2017, the covered entity (CE), Northwest Rheumatology, experienced a ransomware incident which left a limited portion of its computer system encrypted and inaccessible. Upon investigation the CE determined that 7,468 individuals’ electronic protected health information (ePHI) may have been affected, including clinical and demographic information. The CE provided breach notification to HHS, the affected individuals, and the media. In response to OCR’s investigation, the CE strengt...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Northwest Rheumatology data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 7,468 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Jul 31, 2017.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Hacking/IT Incident, with the breached information located in: Network Server.
Is the investigation still open?
No. The report is in the OCR portal archive, which holds reports where OCR has closed its review.
Is a breach notice letter from Northwest Rheumatology legitimate?
This site cannot verify letters. Check the sender against the organisation's official website and the HHS OCR breach portal, and avoid calling numbers or clicking links only listed in an unexpected message. See our guide on what to do after a data breach notice.
Source: HHS OCR Breach Portal, OCR export October 2026. Network USA is not affiliated with HHS or Northwest Rheumatology.