Ransomware attacks on hospitals and health systems doubled between 2016 and 2021, The Washington Post reported May 8.
Since the start of 2023, software company Emsisoft tracked that there have been 200 ransomware attacks on the healthcare sector since the start of 2022. Although the attacks have been slowing, patient care can be compromised as a result of these attacks.
As West Des Moines, Iowa-based MercyOne grappled with a cyberattack, a mother of a child who was being treated there alleged that her child was given too high a dose of painkillers.
Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health, which suffered a ransomware attack last October, was forced to delay surgeries, shut down EHRs and cancel appointments due to the attack.
But even as ransomware attacks start to slow, healthcare is still one of the most targeted industries.
According to the FBI, healthcare suffered more ransomware attacks than any other industry in 2022.