Ransomware attack continues at UMC hospital in Lubbock. Here is what you need to know
University Medical Center was still experiencing an IT outage Sunday caused by a ransomware attack, which was blamed for forcing the hospital to divert patients to other local hospitals and clinics since last Thursday.
The ransomware attack was first reported on Thursday morning, and according to UMC's websites, it is still impacting hospital operations. According to UMC, staff are working around the clock and working with a third-party entity to return to normal operations; however, it does not have a time frame for when that might be.
Latest Reporting: Lubbock medical institutions affected by ongoing IT issues impacting patient care
With the attack four days into affecting the hospital, here is what we know.
What is a ransomware attack?
According to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, ransomware "is malware designed to encrypt files on a device, rendering any files and the systems that rely on them unusable."
The people who deploy the malware then demand ransom in exchange for releasing the files and systems to the owners.
According to the CISA, ransomware attacks have been growing in frequency over the years among state, local and national government entities and critical infrastructure organizations.
How is the ransomware attack impacting UMC in Lubbock?
Little is known at this point about UMC's systems or files being impacted. However, according to The HIPAA Journal, UMC Health System reported that the attack "affected multiple systems" and "affected its phone system, and it has not been possible to view messages in the patient portal."
The attack has forced the hospital to undertake local and regional diversion protocols for the UMC Health System and downtime protocols.
According to its IT outage website, UMC's Emergency Department, Urgent Care, and Physician Clinics remained open as of Saturday evening.
The website reads, "out of an abundance of caution, we are temporarily diverting incoming emergency and non-emergency patients via ambulance to nearby health facilities until we restore access to our systems."
UMC serves as as Level 1 trauma center — the highest surgical level capabilities designation — and is one of the few hospitals with such a destination outside of major cities in Texas and the only one in West Texas.
More information from UMC can be found at www.umchealthsystem.com/it-outage/.
Are the emergency rooms open at UMC?
Yes, UMC's ER is still open to the public but does not take patients via ambulance.
Covenant also stated that its ER, Children's Hospital, and clinics are fully operational.
UMC, Covenant urgent care locations
UMC Health System urgent care clinics
7501 Quaker Avenue
6002 Slide Road
11102 Headquarters Drive
7501 Quaker Avenue
808 Joliet Ave. Medical Office Plaza II, Suite 110
Covenant Health System urgent care clinics
1910 Quaker Ave., Suite 101
5202 82nd St.
9812 Slide Rd.
611 N. Frankford Ave.
7601 Quaker Ave.
Grace Clinic — 4515 Marsha Sharp Freeway
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: UMC emergency room, hospital still impacted by ransomware attack
