Ransomware Attack Forces Lubbock’s UMC Health System to Divert Patients

On September 26, 2024, the University Medical Center (UMC) Health System in Lubbock, Texas, experienced a significant IT outage caused by a ransomware attack. The incident disrupted multiple systems, including phone communications and patient portal access, which necessitated the diversion of both emergency and non-emergency patients to nearby healthcare facilities. While UMC's emergency centers, urgent care clinics, and physician clinics remained open for existing inpatients, the hospital took measures to ensure patient safety by implementing downtime procedures and collaborating with local partners to manage patient care. UMC is actively investigating the breach and working to restore affected systems while prioritizing critical services.

In response to the attack, Covenant Health System, another healthcare provider in Lubbock, confirmed that it remained fully operational, handling emergency cases and urging non-emergent patients to visit their urgent care clinics. The UMC Health System continues to address the situation and has promised regular updates as the investigation and recovery efforts progress. The ransomware attack has highlighted the vulnerability of healthcare facilities to cyber threats and the immediate impact such incidents can have on patient care and emergency services.