On Friday (Aug 5), a cyberattack hit a network of hospitals across the United States, causing many to close emergency departments and divert ambulances. Many primary care services were also suspended as the hospital management assessed the extent of the damage. It is currently uncertain who or which group is behind the cyberattack.
According to local media sources, Prospect Medical Holdings, based in Los Angeles and with hospitals and clinics in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Texas, had its computer systems hijacked by ransomware. “Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc. recently experienced a data security incident that has disrupted our operations,” the company said in a statement.
“Upon learning of this, we took our systems offline to protect them and launched an investigation with the help of third-party cybersecurity specialists. While our investigation continues, we are focused on addressing the pressing needs of our patients as we work diligently to return to normal operations as quickly as possible.”
Ambulances have been diverted, and patients have been redirected to other hospitals
The emergency departments at Manchester Memorial and Rockville General Hospitals in Connecticut were closed on Thursday, and patients were redirected to other local medical facilities, according to the Associated Press. “We have a national Prospect team working and evaluating the impact of the cyberattack on all of the organizations,” Jillian Menzel, chief operating officer for the Eastern Connecticut Health Network, said in a statement. In a statement, the FBI in Connecticut stated that it is cooperating with “law enforcement partners and victim entities,” but that it could not discuss further due to an ongoing investigation.
Computers will be unavailable until next week
The nurses’ union at Crozer-Chester Medical System in Pennsylvania stated that the hospital has reverted to a paper system because most of the computers are down, according to CBS News. According to the labor union, which cited Prospect Medical, the computers are unlikely to be operational until next week. Elective surgeries, outpatient appointments, blood drives, and other services are among the healthcare services that have been suspended.
Although some of the clinics reopened their emergency departments late Thursday, many primary care services were closed on Friday, according to the Eastern Connecticut Health Network, which operates the facilities. Patients were being contacted individually, according to the network’s website, reports AP news agency.