HHS OCR report · 2012
Georgia Health Sciences University data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Georgia Health Sciences University
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Georgia
- Individuals affected
- 513
- Submission date
- Mar 15, 2012
- Type of breach
- Theft
- Location of breached information
- Laptop
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
On January 19, 2012, the covered entity’s (CE) employee discovered that her laptop computer was stolen from the front porch of her home. The laptop contained the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of 513 patients, including names, dates of birth, and health data. The laptop lacked virtual private network connectivity and the data was password protected but not encrypted. The CE provided breach notification to HHS, affected individuals, and the media. In response to the breach,...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Georgia Health Sciences University data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 513 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Mar 15, 2012.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Theft, with the breached information located in: Laptop.
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 Georgia Health Sciences University 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 Georgia Health Sciences University.