HHS OCR report · 2018
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Texas
- Individuals affected
- 500
- Submission date
- Sep 18, 2018
- Type of breach
- Theft
- Location of breached information
- Paper/Films
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, reported that documents containing protected health information (PHI) were stolen from an employee’s vehicle. This breach affected 1,792 individuals and the PHI involved included names, birthdates, diagnoses, and clinical information. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, the media, and local law enforcement. Substitute notice was also provided. Following the incident, the CE sanctioned the responsible...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 500 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Sep 18, 2018.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Theft, 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 The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston 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 University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.