Ohio/WV Ransomware Attack Forces Some ER Patients Elsewhere

Hospitals in Ohio and West Virginia were unable to accept patients from emergency service transports this past weekend following a ransomware attack on the hospitals’ computer systems, according to various media reports.

The two patient care organizations—Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling, West Virginia and East Ohio Regional Hospital in Martins Ferry, Ohio—are owned by parent company Ohio Valley Health Services & Education Corporation and were both affected by the attack, which began on Nov. 23, according to a report in WV News.

The report noted that since Friday night, “Officials said the hospitals had since begun using a paper charting system to ensure protection of data, and the hospitals were still accepting walk-in patients.”

The organizations had hoped to get the situation resolved by Sunday, but there has been no further updated provided. The hospitals made clear that no patient data had been compromised.

After the attack had occurred, and the hospitals’ computer systems had been affected, “Area emergency squads began transporting patients to other area hospitals after receiving notification of the full diversion,” said an official who handled public relations for both organizations, according to a report in The Times Leader.

“At the moment, our emergency rooms are unable to take patients by E-squads, but we can take patients by walk-in,” said the official, per the report. “Our IT team is working around the clock right now and we expect to have the issue resolved by (Sunday).”