HHS OCR report ยท 2021
Washington DC VA Medical Center data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Washington DC VA Medical Center
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- District of Columbia
- Individuals affected
- 1,193
- Submission date
- Nov 1, 2021
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), Washington D.C VA Medical Center, reported that an employee impermissibly sent the protected health information (PHI) of 1,193 individuals to a personal email account. The PHI involved included names, diagnoses, lab results, medications, and Social Security numbers. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, and the media. In response to the breach, the CE retrained its employees regarding the HIPAA Rules.
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Washington DC VA Medical Center
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington DC VA Medical Center | DC | Healthcare Provider | 1,062 | May 31, 2016 | Theft | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Washington DC VA Medical Center data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 1,193 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Nov 1, 2021.
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 Washington DC VA Medical Center 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 Washington DC VA Medical Center.