HHS OCR report ยท 2020
Erlanger Health System data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Erlanger Health System
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Tennessee
- Individuals affected
- 4,938
- Submission date
- Sep 4, 2020
- Type of breach
- Loss
- Location of breached information
- Other Portable Electronic Device
- Business associate present
- Yes
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), Erlanger Health System, reported that its business associate (BA) lost CDs that contained the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of 4,938 individuals. The ePHI involved included names, dates of birth, and lab results. The CDs were not encrypted or password protected. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, the media, and posted substitute notice on its website. Following the breach, the CE trained the staff of its BA on the proper methods of safeguard...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Erlanger Health System data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 4,938 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Sep 4, 2020.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Loss, with the breached information located in: Other Portable Electronic Device.
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 Erlanger Health 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 Erlanger Health System.