Cyberattacks are becoming a more common occurrence at U.S. hospitals, with the number doubling between 2016 and 2021. This increase is causing significant disruptions to patient care, experts told ABC News in a May 10 report.
Take the example of Jes Kraus who had been going to the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington every day for radiation and chemotherapy treatments to fight stage three colorectal cancer. In October, the hospital notified Mr. Kraus that he could not come in for his appointment until further notice because a cyberattack had locked staff out from key systems.
"Radiation was canceled for a week," the patient's wife told the news outlet. "We were afraid. We weren't sure if that would affect the outcome. Again, the tumor, would it start growing back within that week? What was going to happen?"
These types of situations are not uncommon as cyberattacks become a more frequent occurrence, experts told ABC.
"These are direct threats to patient safety," said John Riggi, a national advisor for cybersecurity and risk at the American Hospital Association.
Research has also shown a single ransomware attack on one hospital can have a ripple effect on other healthcare facilities in the region, leading to longer wait times and higher left without being seen rates. Cybersecurity experts said more investment, federal regulations and increased education among healthcare workers are needed to support hospitals in their efforts to better prevent and respond to cyberattacks.