HHS OCR report ยท 2020
Northwestern Memorial Hospital data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Illinois
- Individuals affected
- 682
- Submission date
- Dec 30, 2020
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Electronic Medical Record
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), Northwestern Memorial Hospital, reported that a workforce member impermissibly accessed the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of 682 individuals. The ePHI involved included names, dates of birth, addresses, medications prescribed, and additional clinical and treatment information. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, the media, and state and federal regulatory agencies. Following the breach, the CE sanctioned the workforce member and retrained it...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Northwestern Memorial Hospital
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern Memorial Hospital | IL | Healthcare Provider | 4,211 | Jul 27, 2012 | Theft | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Northwestern Memorial Hospital data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 682 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Dec 30, 2020.
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 Northwestern Memorial Hospital 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 Northwestern Memorial Hospital.