Texas health systems are working to restore systems after the Sept. 26 attack.
A ransomware attack on Texas-based UMC Health System caused significant disruption to patient care, according to reports.
The health system, which reportedly has more than 30 clinics in west Texas and eastern New Mexico, said it has been forced to divert some patients, including emergency patients, since the Sept. 26 attack. It is being
(Related: 10 major cyberattacks and data breaches in 2024 (so far))
UMC updated its website Monday, saying it “continues to work diligently to advance recovery and reconstruction efforts.”
Here are five things to know about the UMC Health System ransomware attack.
ransomware attack
UMC Health System said on its website page that it detected “unusual activity within our IT systems” and the health system disconnected the system “to contain the incident.”
“Through our ongoing investigation, we have determined that the unusual activity is related to the ransomware incident,” the Lubbock, Texas-based health system said in a statement.
Emergency medical care interruption
UMC Health System announced Monday that its emergency center in Lubbock is “currently accepting patients by ambulance.”
Emergency centers were initially forced to divert some ambulances to other hospitals, but are now “transferring only a limited number of patients,” the health system said.
“Out of an abundance of caution, the emergency center will continue to divert a select number of patients until all UMC resources are fully operational,” UMC said in an update Monday.
Other interruptions in care
UMC Health System said in an update that its medical facilities “remain open for existing inpatient admissions,” while clinics are also open.
However, “certain departments and providers are undergoing downtime procedures as a result of the incident,” the health system said. The services affected reportedly include radiology.
“We remain focused on minimizing disruption to patients and essential services,” UMC said.
Impact on data?
UMC Health System has not released details about the attackers behind the attack, but reports say no ransomware group has claimed responsibility.
The health system also has not released details about whether it believes patient medical records or other data may have been affected by the attack.
CRN has reached out to UMC Health System for comment.
Medical attacks continue
Many U.S. health systems and their patients will be victims of cyberattacks in 2024, with UMC becoming the latest example of healthcare disruption due to cybercrime activity.
A February ransomware attack on Change Healthcare, a prescription processing company owned by UnitedHealth, wreaked havoc on the U.S. healthcare system for weeks, preventing many pharmacies and hospitals from processing claims and receiving payments. Ta.
In May, St. Louis-based Ascension Medical System was hit by a ransomware attack that forced it to divert emergency care from some hospitals.
The attack raises questions about whether attackers are intentionally targeting companies whose patients and customers will be severely affected by the disruption, in order to increase pressure on organizations to pay ransoms. There is.