FBI Investigates Ransomware Attack on Prospect Medical Hospitals; Outpatient Services Disrupted in CT
Prospect Medical Hospitals, operated by Prospect Medical Holdings Inc., are under investigation by the FBI following a ransomware attack that has resulted in the disruption of outpatient services in Connecticut. The attack has caused various hospitals and healthcare facilities to experience system outages and service disruptions, impacting patient care.
Waterbury Health, one of the affected institutions, stated on its website that outpatient services such as blood draw and certain patient appointments have been affected. They reassured affected patients that they are actively reaching out to provide necessary information and guidance. Blood draw locations, except for one at Waterbury Hospital, were reported as closed.
Evergreen and Tolland Imaging, along with outpatient blood drawing and the Women’s Center, have also been affected, as announced by East Connecticut Health Network (ECHN) on their website. The disruption has extended to the unavailability of GI procedures and weekday outpatient medical imaging. Temporary contact numbers were made available to patients seeking assistance or information regarding their appointments and medical care.
Nina Kruse, Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs at ECHN, explained in a recent statement that Prospect Medical Holdings Inc. had encountered a data security incident that prompted them to take their systems offline to protect them. Third-party cybersecurity specialists were engaged to investigate the incident.
Consequently, the state Department of Public Health initiated an investigation into Manchester Memorial Hospital, indicating that details and additional information cannot be released at this time. The FBI is also actively involved in investigating the ransomware attack that has affected multiple hospital systems operated by Prospect Medical Holdings, including those in Connecticut.
The impact of the attack on healthcare services raises concerns about patient care and the security of medical institutions. It is a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in the healthcare sector to protect sensitive patient data and ensure the smooth operation of critical medical services.
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As the investigation into the ransomware attack progresses and healthcare facilities strive to restore normalcy, it is crucial for institutions to remain vigilant and prioritize cybersecurity measures. The FBI’s involvement signals the seriousness of the incident, and a thorough examination of the breach will be critical in preventing similar attacks in the future.
