HHS OCR report ยท 2021
The Miriam Hospital data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- The Miriam Hospital
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Rhode Island
- Individuals affected
- 2,999
- Submission date
- May 17, 2021
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), Miriam Hospital, reported that an employee inadvertently sent an email that contained the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of 2,999 individuals, without using the blind carbon copy function. The ePHI involved included names and email addresses. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, the media, and set up a phone line for questions or concerns. In response to the breach, the CE revised its policies and procedures, and retrained its staff.
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the The Miriam Hospital data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 2,999 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on May 17, 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: 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 The Miriam Hospital 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 The Miriam Hospital.