Data Mistake Exposed Names of 974,000 University of Washington Patients

February 22, 2019

University of Washington Medicine says a website server inadvertently made internal files concerning nearly 1 million patients available on the internet.

The organization said the files contained patients’ names and medical record numbers but no medical records, financial information or Social Security numbers.

In a news release this week, UW Medicine said the exposure began on Dec. 4 and was discovered Dec. 26. It said there is no evidence of any misuse or attempted use of the information.

Patients with questions can call 844-322-8234 .

King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn called for an investigation, describing the issue as a “massive breach of the public’s trust.”

UW Medicine includes the University of Washington Medical School, UW Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center and several other hospitals and clinics.