HHS OCR report · 2017
Detroit Medical Center data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Detroit Medical Center
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Michigan
- Individuals affected
- 1,529
- Submission date
- Jul 13, 2017
- Type of breach
- Theft
- Location of breached information
- Desktop Computer, Paper/Films
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), Detroit Medical Center, reported that an employee impermissibly disclosed protected health information (PHI) through unsecured text messages containing images of electronic health record content. The employee also printed and removed the paper copies from the CE’s facilities. The breach affected 1,529 individuals and the PHI involved included names, dates of birth, addresses, diagnoses/conditions, lab results, medications prescribed, and other treatment information. ...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Detroit Medical Center data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 1,529 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Jul 13, 2017.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Theft, with the breached information located in: Desktop Computer, Paper/Films.
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 Detroit Medical Center 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 Detroit Medical Center.