Northwell Health Privacy Breach Affects 13,332 at Sleep Center

North Shore University Hospital Sleep Disorders Center, part of Northwell Health, experienced a major privacy incident impacting 13,332 individuals in the United States. The privacy violation incident involved a former employee who secretly recorded patients, staff, and visitors in the restrooms of the Center’s Great Neck location using a hidden camera disguised as a smoke detector.

Evidence of the employee's improper conduct was discovered on April 23, 2024. According to the County of Nassau District Attorney's office, the former employee purchased the recording device on August 2, 2022, and used it during his shifts, attaching and removing it to access the video footage.

According to the Notice of Privacy Incident posted on May 22, 2025 on the Northwell website, It is not known exactly which patients were recorded, what images were contained in the video recordings or how many recordings contained identifiable images, such as facial images. Because of this, North Shore University Hospital has notified all patients who visited the Center between when the DA’s Office determined that the former employee purchased the recording device until the date he was prevented from entering the premises on April 23, 2024.

The privacy incident was disclosed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on May 23, 2025.

North Shore University Hospital Sleep Disorders Center's response

Upon discovering the breach, North Shore University Hospital immediately prevented the former employee from returning to the premises and referred the matter to the District Attorney’s Office, fully cooperating with the investigation and prosecution. At the request of law enforcement, notification to affected individuals was delayed until the public indictment to avoid interfering with the investigation.

The 13,332 affected individuals have now been notified of the privacy violation incident. North Shore University Hospital has also set up a a dedicated assistance line at 833-918-4503, available toll-free Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. Eastern (excluding U.S. holidays). Callers should reference engagement number B144619 when speaking with an agent.

For more information about the North Shore University Hospital Sleep Disorder Center and Northwell Health’s services, visit the official Northwell Health website.