Ransomware Attack Reported by Scripps Health and Midwest Transplant Network

The healthcare provider Scripps Health located in San Diego experienced a ransomware attack on May 1, 2021 which compelled it to shut down its information technology systems. Scripps Health manages four hospitals throughout the San Diego region and had kept on giving care to patients; nonetheless, heart attack, stroke, and trauma patients looking for emergency therapy at the four hospitals in Encinitas La Jolla, San Diego, and Chula Vista, were redirected to alternate amenities as a preventative measure.

Scripps Health released an announcement validating its outpatient urgent care units, Scripps HealthExpress locations, and emergency departments still stay open, and employees give ongoing care to patients. Although IT systems are down, such as its online website, Scripps Health is working on proven backup procedures and is employing offline recording strategies. Patient safety hasn’t been put at stake.

It is uncertain when it is going to be possible to restore systems online, thus the option has been taken to put off a number of patient visits for Monday and in late this week.

Scripps Health has not yet shared the entire facts concerning the nature of the attack, nevertheless, local media outlets are saying this as a ransomware attack. Scripps Health and its techie teams are working hard 24 hours a day to reestablish systems and solve all complications as a result of the attack.

Midwest Transplant Network Experiences Alleged Ransomware Attack

The Midwest Transplant Network has likewise reported it encountered a cyberattack. On April 30, 2021, the healthcare company based in Westwood, KS affirmed that its IT unit and third-party security professionals were working 24 / 7 to stop and take out the danger and find out the scope to which patient information was breached.

Though there is a probability of patient information access, the breach investigation did not find any information that indicates the exfiltrated any patient data. Midwest Transplant Network informed patients via mail when they were likely impacted.

Midwest Transplant Network mentioned that during the incident it had carried on its undertaking via eye, tissue, and organ donation. Approximately 17,600 persons are known to have possibly had their PHI exposed.

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Christine Garcia is the staff writer on Calculated HIPAA. Christine has several years experience in writing about healthcare sector issues with a focus on the compliance and cybersecurity issues. Christine has developed in-depth knowledge of HIPAA regulations. You can contact Christine at [email protected]. You can follow Christine on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ChrisCalHIPAA