HHS OCR report · 2017
Hackensack Sleep and Pulmonary Center data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Hackensack Sleep and Pulmonary Center
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- New Jersey
- Individuals affected
- 16,474
- Submission date
- Nov 28, 2017
- Type of breach
- Hacking/IT Incident
- Location of breached information
- Network Server
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
A ransomware virus infected the Hackensack Sleep and Pulmonary Center’s computer system that encrypted their electronic medical record files. The attacker demanded a ransom be paid in bitcoins to “unlock” the files. The covered entity (CE) did not pay the ransom and restored its medical records files by using an unaffected off-line backup copy. The electronic protected health information (ePHI) included 16,474 patients’ names, addresses, zip codes, dates of birth, drivers’ license numbers...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Hackensack Sleep and Pulmonary Center data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 16,474 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Nov 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 Hackensack Sleep and Pulmonary Center 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 Hackensack Sleep and Pulmonary Center.