HHS OCR report ยท 2018
Palomar Health (Palomar Medical Center (Escondido) data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Palomar Health (Palomar Medical Center (Escondido)
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- California
- Individuals affected
- 1,309
- Submission date
- Jan 8, 2018
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Electronic Medical Record
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
On February 10, 2016, the covered entity (CE), Palomar Medical Center, discovered that a PMC- Escondido Emergency Room (ER) nurse accessed the medical records of patients without a work-related reason to do so. The types of protected health information (PHI) involved in the breach included the demographic and clinical information of approximately 1,309 individuals. The CE provided breach notification to HHS, affected individuals, and the media. Following the breach, the CE implemented new ...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Palomar Health (Palomar Medical Center (Escondido) data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 1,309 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Jan 8, 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: Electronic Medical Record.
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 Palomar Health (Palomar Medical Center (Escondido) 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 Palomar Health (Palomar Medical Center (Escondido).