Ransomware Attacks on Health Systems: A Growing Threat to Patient Care

Capital Health, a medical system with hospitals in Trenton and Hopewell, New Jersey, is experiencing network outages due to a suspected cybersecurity incident. While patient care continues, there are disruptions, including the prioritization of elective surgeries and the unavailability of outpatient radiology and some cardiology testing. The hospital has notified authorities, but it is unclear if there has been a breach of patient, employee, or financial data. Experts believe this is likely a ransomware attack, with organized crime groups demanding payment. Primary care doctors' offices remain unaffected, but the hospital expects to operate with system limitations for at least a week.