Ransomware Attack Associated With Disruptions at Adjacent Emergency Departments in the US

The authors examined patient volume and stroke metrics in an emergency department while a nearby, but separate facility experienced a month-long ransomware attack. They found that hospitals adjacent to health care facilities impacted by ransomware attacks may experience increases in patient census and impacts to time-sensitive care for conditions such as stroke. The authors conclude that ransomware attacks “should be considered a regional disaster” because of these impacts to neighboring hospitals.