HHS OCR report ยท 2020
VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Nevada
- Individuals affected
- 702
- Submission date
- Mar 25, 2020
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Paper/Films
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System, reported that numerous boxes containing the unsecured protected health information (PHI) of 702 individuals were discovered in an unlocked office. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, and the media. In response to the breach, The CE conducted a meeting with its executive leadership to discuss records management requirements for securing and storing PHI.
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 702 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Mar 25, 2020.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Unauthorized Access/Disclosure, with the breached information located in: 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 VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System 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 VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System.