HHS OCR report ยท 2021
Inova Health System data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Inova Health System
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Virginia
- Individuals affected
- 1,680
- Submission date
- Jan 22, 2021
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), Inova Health System, reported that an employee inadvertently emailed the protected health information (PHI) of 1,680 individuals to the wrong recipient. The PHI involved included names, dates of birth, diagnoses, medications prescribed, and other treatment information. The CE notified HHS, affected individuals, the media, and established a call center for questions or concerns. In response to the breach, the CE sanctioned the employee responsible and retrained its sta...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by Inova Health System
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inova Health System | VA | Healthcare Provider | 1,045,270 | Sep 9, 2020 | Hacking/IT Incident | Archive (closed) |
| Inova Health System | VA | Business Associate | 1,265 | Nov 19, 2018 | Hacking/IT Incident | Archive (closed) |
| Inova Health System | VA | Healthcare Provider | 12,331 | Nov 2, 2018 | Hacking/IT Incident | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Inova Health System data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 1,680 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Jan 22, 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 Inova 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 Inova Health System.