HHS OCR report ยท 2022
Rhode Island Department of Health data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Rhode Island Department of Health
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Rhode Island
- Individuals affected
- 8,800
- Submission date
- Dec 7, 2022
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Business associate present
- Yes
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), Rhode Island Department of Health, reported that a workforce member erroneously sent an email containing the protected health information (PHI) of 8,800 individuals to unintended recipients. The PHI involved included names, addresses, and diagnoses. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, the media, and provided substitute notice on its website. In response to the breach the CE retrained the workforce member on email security.
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Rhode Island Department of Health data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 8,800 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Dec 7, 2022.
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 Rhode Island Department of Health 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 Rhode Island Department of Health.