Cybersecurity news for hospitals and health systems

Decatur, Texas-based Wise Health System began notifying 66,934 patients that their protected health information may have been exposed in a phishing attack, according to a Feb. 13 news release.

Neary 1.1 million patients in Michigan have been affected by ransomware attacks since 2016 — the most in the United States, according to a Comparitech survey.

When clinicians and school nurses work collaboratively confusion about federal privacy laws are more likely to arise, according to a study published in Pediatrics.

Great Bend, Kan.-based Central Kansas Orthopedic Group began notifying 17,214 patients that their information may have been exposed in a ransomware attack.

A former employee at ACM Global Laboratories is facing 215 charges of felony computer trespassing and 215 counts of misdemeanor unauthorized use of a computer for allegedly illegally viewing patients' medical records, according to local NBC affiliate WHEC.

San Juan Capistrano, Calif.-based Sunshine Behavioral Health began notifying an undisclosed number of patients that their information may have been accessible on the internet.

There has been an uptick in the number of ransomware attacks over the past year, with 13 industries worldwide feeling the effects, according to the IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2020, which was released Feb. 11.

Ransomware attacks have become more crippling to healthcare organization, causing some to shut their doors permanently. A recent study found that since 2016 ransomware attacks have cost healthcare organizations $157 million.

Springfield, Ill.-based Hospital Sisters Health System began notifying 16,167 patients Jan. 31 that their information may have been exposed in a phishing attack.

More than 500 affiliated offices of Boston Children's Hospital had their computer systems shut down Feb. 12 after a malware attack, according to CBS Boston.