HHS OCR report · 2017
Waco Otolaryngology Associates d/b/a Waco Ear, Nose, & Throat data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Waco Otolaryngology Associates d/b/a Waco Ear, Nose, & Throat
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Texas
- Individuals affected
- 500
- Submission date
- Aug 28, 2017
- Type of breach
- Hacking/IT Incident
- Location of breached information
- Network Server
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
Waco Ear, Nose, & Throat, the covered entity, reported that the electronic protected health information (ePHI) of 38,427 individuals was disclosed when Little River Healthcare (Little River), the covered entity’s parent company, was the victim of a ransomware attack that encrypted data stored on its computers and servers. The ePHI included patients’ names, dates of birth, addresses, social security numbers, lab results, medications, diagnosis and other treatment information. In response to th...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Waco Otolaryngology Associates d/b/a Waco Ear, Nose, & Throat data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 500 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Aug 28, 2017.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Hacking/IT Incident, with the breached information located in: Network Server.
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 Waco Otolaryngology Associates d/b/a Waco Ear, Nose, & Throat 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 Waco Otolaryngology Associates d/b/a Waco Ear, Nose, & Throat.