HHS OCR report · 2016
University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Wisconsin
- Individuals affected
- 6,923
- Submission date
- Sep 30, 2016
- Type of breach
- Unauthorized Access/Disclosure
- Location of breached information
- Paper/Films
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
The covered entity (CE), University of Wisconsin and Clinics Authority, reported that a survey was erroneously mailed to family members of 6,923 patients rather than to the patients directly. The breach occurred because of formatting problems sent in a data file to the CE’s business associate (BA). The PHI included patients’ names and the names of patients’ healthcare providers. The CE provided breach notification to HHS, affected individuals, and the media. Following the breach, the CE in...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Other reports by University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority
| Covered entity | State | Entity type | Individuals | Submitted | Type of breach | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority | WI | Healthcare Provider | 85,902 | Mar 5, 2024 | Hacking/IT Incident | Archive (closed) |
| University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority | WI | Healthcare Provider | 4,563 | Jun 18, 2021 | Hacking/IT Incident | Archive (closed) |
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 6,923 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Sep 30, 2016.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Unauthorized Access/Disclosure, 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 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority 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 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority.