In this episode, the Gritty Nurses talk about the concerning increase in cyberattacks on hospitals in recent years. Ascension, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the nation, was hit by a ransomware attack in May 2024 (right around nurses week). Affected were no less than 12 states, over a period of 36 days. Cyber attacks have increased by 128% from 2022-2023. They discuss safety issues when EMR charting is down, how we can better prepare, how much we should rely on paper charting. Technology can be a double edged sword.

Resources:

https://www.npr.org/2024/06/19/nx-s1-5010219/ascension-hospital-ransomware-attack-care-lapses

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/05/23/1253011397/how-the-ascension-cyberattack-is-disrupting-care-at-hospitals

https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/ascension-cyberattack-impact-ehr-pharmacy-ambulance-diversion/719139/

https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/tracking-ascension-healthcare-cyberattack-impact/716327/

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