Ransomware hits US hospitals, ERs redirect patients
OAN’s James Meyers
3:20 PM – Monday, November 27, 2023
Hospitals in at least three U.S. states have moved their patients out of emergency rooms after a ransomware attack struck their parent company last week.
“Ransomware is a malware designed to deny a user or organization access to files on their computer. By encrypting these files and demanding a ransom payment for the decryption key, cyberattackers place organizations in a position where paying the ransom is the easiest and cheapest way to regain access to their files,” according to checkpoint.com.
Ardent Health Services, which is in charge of over 30 hospitals across the country, said they were victims of a ransomware attack in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
The attack took place on Thanksgiving Day, according to Ardent.
“In an abundance of caution, our facilities are rescheduling some non-emergent, elective procedures and diverting some emergency room patients to other area hospitals until systems are back online,” the company said in a news release.
Some of the hospitals that are currently unable to accept ambulances include a 263-bed hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a 365-bed hospital in Montclair, New Jersey, and several throughout East Texas.
Ardent said that the attack had shut down their computer systems, which includes clinical programs and its use of Epic Systems, a software program that tracks health records of patients.
However, the FBI has consistently maintained that victims of ransomware attacks should not give into the demands.
Patient care “continues to be delivered safely and effectively in its hospitals, emergency rooms, and clinics,” Ardent Health said on Monday.
Ransomware attacks have repeatedly taken place against hospital chains since 2019, and in at least one instance, a ransomware attack was a major factor for one large hospital to shut down. According to experts, there have been over 35 ransomware attacks targeting U.S. health care providers this year.
Stay informed! Receive breaking news blasts directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Protests in support of Palestine asking for a cease-fire take place at a mall in San Diego, California during Black Friday.
A new report from the American Legislative Exchange Council, better known as ALEC, demonstrates Americans living in “red states” that have more energy freedom pay much less for electricity and gasoline.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appears to be losing support as the final stretch of the campaign before the Iowa Caucuses commences.
While conflicts rage in Ukraine and Gaza, the Biden Administration may be waging a war against appliances at home.
U.S. shoppers looking for steep discounts are set to boost Cyber Monday online sales to a record $12 billion to $12.4 billion.
The United States and multiple other countries have come to an agreement on guidelines for the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Sam Altman’s return as OpenAI’s chief executive will strengthen his grip on the startup and may leave the ChatGPT creator with fewer checks on his power.
EU lawmakers agreed to draft rules requiring Google, Meta and other online services to identify and remove online child pornography.
rnrn
What are the consequences for hospitals within Ardent’s network as a result of the ransomware attack?
Title: Ransomware Attack Forces Hospitals in Three U.S. States to Evacuate Patients
Introduction:
In a concerning development, hospitals in three U.S. states were compelled to relocate their patients out of emergency rooms due to a ransomware attack on their parent company last week. This attack, which targeted Ardent Health Services, affected medical facilities located in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. The incident underscores the growing threat of ransomware attacks on healthcare providers across the country.
The Nature of Ransomware Attacks:
Ransomware is a malicious software designed to block users or organizations from accessing their computer files. By encrypting these files and demanding a ransom for the decryption key, cyberattackers force organizations into a difficult position where paying the ransom becomes the easiest and most economical path to regain access to their files [source: checkpoint.com].
Impact on Ardent Health Services:
Ardent Health Services, an organization responsible for managing over 30 hospitals nationwide, confirmed the ransomware attack on Thanksgiving Day. As a precautionary measure, they have rescheduled non-emergent elective procedures and redirected some emergency room patients to other hospitals in the vicinity until their systems are restored.
The Consequences and Affected Hospitals:
The attack has prompted several hospitals within Ardent’s network to temporarily suspend ambulance services. Notable among them include a 263-bed hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a 365-bed hospital in Montclair, New Jersey, as well as numerous hospitals throughout East Texas. Ardent Health stated that the attack caused a complete shutdown of their computer systems, including clinical programs and their use of Epic Systems, a software program vital for patient health record management.
Response from Authorities:
Despite the devastating impact of ransomware attacks, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) consistently advises victims not to comply with the attackers’ demands. Ardent Health has reassured the public that patient care continues to be delivered safely and effectively in their hospitals, emergency rooms, and clinics.
The Growing Threat:
Ransomware attacks targeting healthcare providers have become alarmingly frequent since 2019, with at least 35 attacks reported this year alone. These attacks have demonstrated their capability to disrupt critical healthcare systems, causing significant operational disruptions and even leading to the temporary closure of medical facilities.
Conclusion:
The recent ransomware attack on Ardent Health Services and its subsequent impact on the hospitals under its management highlight the urgent need for strengthened cybersecurity measures within the healthcare sector. As attackers become increasingly sophisticated, healthcare providers must remain vigilant and invest in robust security systems to safeguard patient records and ensure uninterrupted healthcare delivery. Furthermore, collaborative efforts between government agencies, industry stakeholders, and cybersecurity experts are crucial to mitigating the escalating threat of ransomware attacks in the healthcare industry.
(Photo by Theo Heimann/Getty Images)
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...