HHS OCR report · 2023
Brigham and Women's Hospital data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Massachusetts
- Individuals affected
- 987
- Submission date
- Aug 4, 2023
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Network Server
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), Brigham and Women’s Hospital, reported that graphs posted to the Internet contained a link that could expose the protected health information (PHI) of 987 individuals. The PHI involved included names, birthdates, addresses, diagnoses, lab results, medications, and other treatment information. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, the media, and provided substitute notice. In response to the breach, the CE implemented additional administrative, technical, and secu...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Brigham and Women's Hospital
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brigham and Women's Hospital | MA | Healthcare Provider | 1,009 | Jan 11, 2016 | Hacking/IT Incident | Archive (closed) |
| Brigham and Women's Hospital | MA | Healthcare Provider | 999 | Nov 17, 2014 | Theft | Archive (closed) |
| Brigham and Women's Hospital | MA | Healthcare Provider | 615 | Nov 26, 2012 | Theft | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Brigham and Women's Hospital data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 987 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Aug 4, 2023.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Unauthorized Access/Disclosure, with the breached information located in: Network Server.
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 Brigham and Women's 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 Brigham and Women's Hospital.