Cyberattack disrupts hospital computer systems across US, hindering services

A health care provider in the United States has come under a cyber attack, disrupting its computers and causing chaos in medical facilities in several states across the country.

The ransomware attack happened at California-based Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc. on Thursday, which manages hospitals and clinics in Texas, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania.

"Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc. recently experienced a data security incident that has disrupted our operations," the company said in a statement, adding, "Upon learning of this, we took our systems offline to protect them and launched an investigation with the help of third-party cybersecurity specialists.” 

“While our investigation continues, we are focused on addressing the pressing needs of our patients as we work diligently to return to normal operations as quickly as possible," it noted.

Thursday’s data security incident forced the hospitals’ emergency rooms in several states to close and patients were diverted to other nearby medical centers.

Elective surgeries, outpatient appointments, blood drives and other services were suspended and ambulances were also redirected.

Many primary care services remained closed on Friday as security experts worked to determine the extent of the problem and resolve it.

Over the past months, a massive hacking campaign has been carried out across the United States, affecting major universities and government institutions. The hackers are exerting pressure on federal officials who have vowed to put an end to the scourge of ransomware attacks that have disrupted schools, hospitals and local governments across the States.

ME