Massive Cyberattack Shuts Down Hospital Computer Systems in Several States – Emergency Rooms Forced to Close and Ambulances Diverted
Image by Cliff Hang from Pixabay
A cyberattack on Thursday caused a significant disruption in hospital computer systems across several U.S. states, leading to the closure of emergency rooms and the diversion of ambulances. Many primary care services remained shut down on Friday as security experts scrambled to determine the extent of the problem and find a resolution.
The attack targeted facilities operated by Prospect Medical Holdings, a Los Angeles-based healthcare provider with hospitals, clinics, and outpatient facilities in Texas, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and Southern California.
Recovery can take weeks, according to John Riggi, the national counsel for cybersecurity and risk at the American Hospital Association. In the meantime, hospitals must rely on paper systems and humans to do tasks like monitoring equipment and transferring records across departments.
