HHS OCR report · 2017
Houston Methodist Hospital data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Houston Methodist Hospital
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Texas
- Individuals affected
- 1,359
- Submission date
- Sep 25, 2017
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
A workforce member sent an email to 1,359 patients without using the “blind carbon copy” or “bcc” field, which allowed the patients to see each other’s email addresses. The covered entity (CE) provided breach notification to HHS. affected individuals, and the media. In response to the incident, the CE updated technical safeguards and re-trained its workforce members on the proper use of email when communicating with patients. OCR obtained assurances that the CE implemented the corrective acti...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Houston Methodist Hospital
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Methodist Hospital | TX | Healthcare Provider | 1,987 | Apr 17, 2020 | Theft | Archive (closed) |
| Houston Methodist Hospital | TX | Healthcare Provider | 1,417 | Mar 17, 2017 | Unauthorized Access/Disclosure | Archive (closed) |
| Houston Methodist Hospital | TX | Healthcare Provider | 1,341 | Jan 2, 2014 | Theft | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Houston Methodist Hospital data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 1,359 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Sep 25, 2017.
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 Houston Methodist 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 Houston Methodist Hospital.