Ransomware attack forces UMC Health System to transfer patients

October 3, 2024
UMC Health System Ransomware Attack Healthcare Provider US Cyberattack

A ransomware attack on the Texas healthcare provider forced the UMC Health System to transfer some patients to other facilities.

UMC is one of the largest healthcare providers in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico since it operates 30 clinics that serve 400,000 people annually. Additionally, the UMC Health System in Lubbock is the sole ‘Level 1 Trauma Center’ within 400 miles, making it vital for patients needing urgent surgical care.

UMC announced on its website late last week, which is now unavailable that it is responding to an IT disruption compromising its network. Moreover, despite its open facilities, the organisation will divert all emergency and non-emergency situations.

The hospital organisation claimed that a ransomware attack caused its IT disruption. As of now, no known ransomware groups have claimed responsibility for the hack on UMC; hence, the perpetrators are currently unknown.

 

The UMC Health System has deployed mitigation processes to prevent further damage.

 

Reports revealed that the UMC Health System is taking steps to mitigate the consequences of the ransomware attack. Still, several departments, including radiology, remain closed or can only deliver treatments with substantial delays.

Furthermore, medical prescription lists are unavailable in UMC clinics due to the IT system outage. Therefore, patients planning to visit the hospital should carry their previous prescriptions. On the other hand, medical records are available on the patient site, but UMC says they cannot be printed now.

The healthcare institution cannot ensure communication via phone or online portal. Hence, individuals in need of quick assistance should go to a clinic. Ransomware assaults frequently result in data theft, and in this case, numerous individual’s sensitive medical information could be compromised.

UMC did not address the issue in its most recent status update but indicated that the security breach investigation is still ongoing. The compromised entity also assured relevant individuals that updates would be made when more information became available.

This incident is a developing story since details about the attack are scarce. Lastly, patients who are planning to visit the hospital should consider scheduling appointments with other providers until the current incident is resolved.

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