HHS OCR report · 2017
The Lowell General Hospital data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- The Lowell General Hospital
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Massachusetts
- Individuals affected
- 769
- Submission date
- Nov 10, 2017
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Electronic Medical Record
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
An employee impermissibly accessed the protected health information (PHI) of 769 individuals. The types of PHI disclosed included demographic and clinical information. The CE provided breach notification to HHS, affected individuals, and the media. Following the breach, the CE sanctioned the employee in accordance with the CE’s sanctions policy. Additionally, the CE changed its policy to detect inappropriate access. OCR reviewed the CE’s policies and as related to this breach and they appear ...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the The Lowell General Hospital data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 769 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Nov 10, 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: 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 The Lowell General 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 The Lowell General Hospital.