The FDA issued a report on Friday warning healthcare facilities that using the Hospira Symbiq Infusion System, a computerized pump designed for continuous delivery of general infusion therapy, may make their organizations vulnerable to cyber attacks.
An independent researcher confirmed that the pump could be accessed remotely through a hospital's network, which could allow unauthorized users to control the device and change patient dosages. The pump is primarily used in hospitals and both acute and non-acute care facilities to communicate with the facility's information system.
The FDA has published recommendations here to reduce the risk of unauthorized access when transitioning away from the pumps. The FDA and Hospira are unaware of any adverse patient events related to unauthorized access of the pumps in a healthcare setting.
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