In a significant cyberattack that targeted Ardent Health Services, the parent company overseeing 30 hospitals across the U.S., several hospitals in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas have been compelled to divert patients from their emergency rooms. The ransomware attack, which occurred during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, has led Ardent to take precautionary measures by rescheduling non-emergent procedures and redirecting emergency room patients to other area hospitals until the systems are restored.

Ardent Health Services confirmed on Monday that it had fallen victim to a severe ransomware attack, impacting its operations in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Texas. The company released a statement explaining that in order to ensure patient safety, they have chosen to temporarily reschedule non-emergent elective procedures and shift emergency room patients to alternate hospitals until their computer systems are brought back online.

Three Ardent-owned hospital chains – Hillcrest HealthCare System in Oklahoma, Lovelace Health System in New Mexico, and UT Health in Texas – have all reported that some or all of their emergency rooms have been diverting patients to other medical facilities while the company works diligently to rectify the consequences of the attack.

As a result of the cyberattack, Ardent Health Services has shut down several crucial computerized services, including clinical programs and the use of Epic Systems, a program utilized for tracking patients' health care records.

Ransomware attacks have become a prominent cybersecurity threat, with criminals gaining unauthorized access to a company's computer networks and employing malicious software to encrypt multiple systems. They then demand substantial ransom payments to provide a solution. The FBI strongly discourages victims from paying the ransom, as there is no guarantee that the attackers will deliver a viable solution and paying only encourages further attacks.

According to Ardent, the issues caused by the ransomware attack have persisted since Thanksgiving Day. It is worth noting that cybercriminals often choose holidays or long weekends to strike, anticipating reduced security staffing levels.

Hospitals and healthcare providers have consistently been targeted by ransomware attacks since 2019, with devastating consequences. In some instances, these attacks have even led to the closure of struggling rural hospitals.

Emsisoft, a cybersecurity company, reported that there have been at least 35 ransomware attacks on U.S. healthcare providers this year, with Ardent Health Services becoming the latest and largest victim. While there have been no confirmed cases where a patient's death resulted directly from a ransomware attack on a healthcare facility, studies have indicated a strong correlation between such attacks and increased mortality rates.

Efforts are currently underway to restore Ardent Health Services' computer systems and mitigate the impact of the cyberattack. Hospitals are working diligently to ensure the smooth continuity of patient care, while also implementing robust cybersecurity measures to prevent future attacks.

It is essential for healthcare organizations to remain vigilant in safeguarding their systems against cyber threats to protect patient safety and maintain the integrity of their operations.