🖥️ Why hackers love hospitals

What’s in for today:

• Why is the healthcare industry prime for ransomware attacks

• AI tool to detect cancer

• Smart bandages

LET’S TALK!

In recent years, the healthcare industry has made big strides in embracing digital transformation, leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency and patient outcomes. However, alongside these advancements, there is a growing concern about the escalating risk of ransomware attacks.

These malicious cyber threats not only present challenges for healthcare organizations but also have the potential to compromise patient’s safety and overall well-being.

Why is the healthcare industry prime for ransomware attacks?

The healthcare industry is a prime target for ransomware attacks for many reasons:

• Data, lots of it: Medical practices store vast amounts of data, from social security numbers to payment information and other personal identification, which are highly valuable in the black market.

• Moving away from paper charts: Healthcare organizations rely on interconnect systems, including electronic healthcare records, medical devices, and patient portals. These systems support tasks such as accessing patient medical history, ordering imaging, scheduling appointments, and processing payments. Disruptions of these systems can have immediate and severe consequences, leading not only to financial losses but also jeopardizing patient safety.

• Outdated infrastructure: Many healthcare facilities are currently operating with outdated IT infrastructure and legacy systems, which makes them more susceptible to cyberattacks.

Trends in ransomware attacks

The frequency of attacks on healthcare facilities has surged in the past few years:

• A study from 2022 revealed that ransomware attacks on healthcare organizations more than doubled from 2016 to 2021, exposing the data of nearly 42 million patients (Read the study here).

• Reports indicate that two-thirds (66%) of healthcare organizations experienced cyber-attacks in 2021, up from 34% in 2020 (Read the report here).

• In 2023, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received reports of 249 ransomware attacks targeting the healthcare infrastructure.

• Change Healthcare attack in early 2024, affecting almost 1 in 3 patient records in the U.S.

How are patients affected?

• Medical records contain a lot of sensitive data. When healthcare systems are targeted by ransomware attacks, patient data is at risk of being stolen.

• During an attack, patients may face difficulties scheduling appointments, obtaining prescriptions, or accessing vital treatments. A study found that almost half of ransomware attacks disrupted patient care, with common disruptions such as electronic system downtime and cancellations of scheduled care. These attacks can disrupt essential healthcare services, leading to canceled appointments, delayed surgeries, and compromised access to medical records.

• In-hospital mortality rates increase by 20-30% for patients admitted during a ransomware attack (Report from NPR).

• Nearby hospitals may be impacted when organizations under attack must redirect ambulances to other medical facilities. A study found that hospitals near an affected facility experienced an increase in patient census, ambulance arrivals, longer wait times, more patients leaving without being seen, and overall longer patient stays during and after an attack.

Why should you care?

The number and severity of these attacks are on the rise, impacting not only rural or isolated hospitals but also some of the largest healthcare organizations in the U.S. For instance, a ransomware attack at Change Healthcare, which processes about 15 billion transactions annually, affected 1 in 3 patient records in the U.S. More recently, the Ascension ransomware attack impacted 142 of the health system’s hospitals in over 19 states.

These recent attacks highlight the importance of healthcare organizations improving their cybersecurity measures. By staying informed about the risks and supporting efforts to enhance cybersecurity, patients can play a role in protecting their own health and the integrity of the healthcare system. Your awareness and support can encourage healthcare institutions to prioritize stronger security measures, ensuring that the care you receive is safe and reliable.

Maybe that fax machine is not a problem after all.

HEALTHCARE TECH

🩺AI tool to detect cancer from a drop of blood: Yes, yes, I know. We all know what happened with Theranos (Here’s a CNN article to catch you up), but using a drop of blood to detect cancer may become a reality sooner than we think. Scientists in China created an AI tool to help do just that. Don’t get too excited yet; extensive human trials are still needed before clinical implementation (Read the article here)

🏥Stanford engineers have developed a skin-like, flexible electronic sensor called FAST (Flexible Autonomous Sensor measuring Tumors) that can noninvasively measure tumor size in real-time. This battery-operated device adheres to the skin, providing continuous monitoring and transmitting data wirelessly to an app, potentially revolutionizing cancer drug screening (Read the report here).

🩹Smart bandages: Stanford University researchers developed a smart bandage that can speed up the healing process. Using wireless electrical stimulation and biosensors, this bandage can monitor and treat wounds simultaneously. It can help wounds close faster, improve blood flow, and reduce scarring, which is great news for people with slow-healing wounds from conditions like diabetes or infections. This bandage has the potential to change the way we take care of chronic wounds, but for now, it’s still in the early stages (Read the article here)

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