HHS OCR report · 2018
Dignity Health data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Dignity Health
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- California
- Individuals affected
- 55,947
- Submission date
- May 31, 2018
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Business associate present
- Yes
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
During a mass emailing of patient notifications in April 2018, Dignity Health, the covered entity (CE), used an email list incorrectly formatted by its business associate (BA), causing 55,947 individuals to receive an email intended for another individual. The protected health information (PHI) included the intended email recipient’s first name, last name, and physician name. The CE provided breach notification to HHS, affected individuals, and the media. OCR obtained assurances that the CE...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Dignity Health data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 55,947 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on May 31, 2018.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Unauthorized Access/Disclosure, with the breached information located in: Email.
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 Dignity Health 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 Dignity Health.