Malware Shuts Down Hospital

Event Year: 2011 Reliability: Confirmed
Country: United States
Industry Type: Other
Description:

Malware was found in a Georgia hospital.  Computer interconnectivity was affected.  The hospital had to declare “total diversion” status for two of its campuses.  A “total diversion” status means that ambulances had to divert patients to other hospitals, except for extreme emergencies.  The hospital was forced to use a manual “runner” system which requires a courier to deliver important records.  None of the databases were affected.  Medical records were not compromised.

Impact:

The hospital had to divert patients to other hospitals nearby.  The loss of computer communications within the hospital forced the use of couriers to deliver important documents. Databases and patient records were not compromised.