HHS OCR report ยท 2017
University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Iowa
- Individuals affected
- 5,292
- Submission date
- Jun 22, 2017
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Other
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
A student employee used an online open source programming tool, GitHub, to program a data transfer, but failed to label his programming as private. This exposed the protected health information of 5,292 individuals online for more than a year until the covered entity (CE) discovered it on April 29, 2017. The CE provided breach notification to HHS, affected individuals, and the media. Following the breach, the CE updated its Security Rule Risk Management Plan, implemented periodic technical...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics | IA | Healthcare Provider | 950 | Jun 25, 2019 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 5,292 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Jun 22, 2017.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Unauthorized Access/Disclosure, with the breached information located in: Other.
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 University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics 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 University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.