HHS OCR report · 2019
Washington University School of Medicine data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Washington University School of Medicine
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Missouri
- Individuals affected
- 3,237
- Submission date
- Nov 1, 2019
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
Washington University School of Medicine, the covered entity (CE), reported that an employee’s personal laptop was compromised and used to access the employee’s email account which contained the protected health information (PHI) of 3,237 individuals. The PHI involved included names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, diagnoses, lab results, medications, and health insurance information. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, the media, and posted substitute notice on its...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Washington University School of Medicine
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington University School of Medicine | MO | Healthcare Provider | 1,056 | Jul 14, 2022 | Hacking/IT Incident | Archive (closed) |
| Washington University School of Medicine | MO | Health Plan | 500 | May 23, 2022 | Hacking/IT Incident | Archive (closed) |
| Washington University School of Medicine | MO | Healthcare Provider | 14,795 | Mar 31, 2020 | Hacking/IT Incident | Archive (closed) |
| Washington University School of Medicine | MO | Healthcare Provider | 80,270 | Mar 25, 2017 | Hacking/IT Incident | Archive (closed) |
| Washington University School of Medicine | MO | Healthcare Provider | 1,105 | Jan 11, 2013 | Theft | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Washington University School of Medicine data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 3,237 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Nov 1, 2019.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Unauthorized Access/Disclosure, with the breached information located in: Email.
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 Washington University School of Medicine 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 Washington University School of Medicine.