HHS OCR report · 2021
Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Nebraska
- Individuals affected
- 12,968
- Submission date
- Jul 19, 2021
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Desktop Computer
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department, the business associate (BA), reported that a workforce member inadvertently uploaded a spreadsheet containing the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of 12,968 individuals to its public website. The ePHI involved included names, addresses, dates of births, and treatment information. The BA removed the spreadsheet from its public website. The BA notified the CE of the breach, and on the CE’s behalf, the BA notified HHS, affected individu...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 12,968 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Jul 19, 2021.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Unauthorized Access/Disclosure, with the breached information located in: Desktop Computer.
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 Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department 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 Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department.