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How the cyberattack changed the course of the operation.
In May 2024, Synnovis, a company that provides pathology services to London hospitals, was attacked by ransomware. This led to the cancellation of about 1,500 medical procedures in the largest medical institutions in the British capital in four weeks.
The story of Hannah Grouthuizen vividly illustrates the human dimension of this problem. A 36-year-old research manager at King's College London faced serious complications in the treatment of aggressive HER2-positive breast cancer due to a cyberattack.
Diagnosed at the end of 2023, Hannah underwent chemotherapy and was preparing for surgery to remove the tumor on June 7. Initially, the operation was planned to preserve the skin and immediately reconstruct the breast. However, a cyberattack that occurred four days before the operation put these plans in jeopardy.
The day before the procedure, Hannah was told that breast reconstruction was too risky due to problems with providing blood transfusions. She was faced with a choice: postpone the operation or agree to a simple mastectomy. Given the aggressive nature of the cancer, Hanna chose the second option.
The consequences of the attack were large-scale. Hospitals faced an acute shortage of blood donations, which led to urgent calls for donations. In the month following the incident, almost 5,000 outpatient appointments and more than 1,300 routine procedures were postponed.
Despite the difficulties, Hannah remains positive and does not blame the National Health Service (NHS). She highly appreciates the efforts of the medical staff in these circumstances. However, her case raises important questions about the preparedness of government agencies for cyber attacks and the need to strengthen security measures.
This incident highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructures to cyber threats. It also demonstrated how serious the consequences of such attacks can be for the health and lives of patients.
As healthcare facilities are restored, the need for a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity in healthcare is becoming apparent. The protection of patients personal data, the smooth operation of medical systems and ensuring the continuity of treatment should become priorities in the era of digitalization of medicine.
Source
In May 2024, Synnovis, a company that provides pathology services to London hospitals, was attacked by ransomware. This led to the cancellation of about 1,500 medical procedures in the largest medical institutions in the British capital in four weeks.
The story of Hannah Grouthuizen vividly illustrates the human dimension of this problem. A 36-year-old research manager at King's College London faced serious complications in the treatment of aggressive HER2-positive breast cancer due to a cyberattack.
Diagnosed at the end of 2023, Hannah underwent chemotherapy and was preparing for surgery to remove the tumor on June 7. Initially, the operation was planned to preserve the skin and immediately reconstruct the breast. However, a cyberattack that occurred four days before the operation put these plans in jeopardy.
The day before the procedure, Hannah was told that breast reconstruction was too risky due to problems with providing blood transfusions. She was faced with a choice: postpone the operation or agree to a simple mastectomy. Given the aggressive nature of the cancer, Hanna chose the second option.
The consequences of the attack were large-scale. Hospitals faced an acute shortage of blood donations, which led to urgent calls for donations. In the month following the incident, almost 5,000 outpatient appointments and more than 1,300 routine procedures were postponed.
Despite the difficulties, Hannah remains positive and does not blame the National Health Service (NHS). She highly appreciates the efforts of the medical staff in these circumstances. However, her case raises important questions about the preparedness of government agencies for cyber attacks and the need to strengthen security measures.
This incident highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructures to cyber threats. It also demonstrated how serious the consequences of such attacks can be for the health and lives of patients.
As healthcare facilities are restored, the need for a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity in healthcare is becoming apparent. The protection of patients personal data, the smooth operation of medical systems and ensuring the continuity of treatment should become priorities in the era of digitalization of medicine.
Source
