CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center Computer Access Restored
Administrative systems back online; patient care remains unaffected
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center (HPMC) brought its electronic medical records system back online on February 15 after being subject to malware that temporarily locked access to certain systems and prevented the hospital from sharing communications electronically. Patient care has not been compromised during the incident.
"As a provider of critical services, we have to be prepared for a variety of events that could disrupt our everyday operations, from earthquakes to computer events like this one," said Allen Stefanek, CEO of HPMC. "Our alternate procedures were immediately implemented by our staff when the computer system went offline."
On the evening of February 5th, staff noticed issues accessing the hospital's computer network. An immediate investigation determined the hospital center had been subjected to a malware attack. Law enforcement was immediately notified. Computer experts immediately began assisting us in determining the outside source of the issue and bringing our systems back online.
The cyber attackers demanded a ransom of 40 bitcoins – equivalent to approximately $17,000 – for the encryption key to unlock the system. The reports of the hospital paying 9000 bitcoins or $3.4 million are not accurate. "We were advised that paying the ransom in these situations is often the most timely way to restore the affected systems and administrative functions, which we did," Stefanek said.
Additional information regarding this cyber attack is posted on our website at www.hollywoodpresbyterian.com.
About CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center
CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center is an acute care facility that has been caring for the Hollywood community and surrounding areas since 1924. The hospital is committed to serving local multicultural communities with quality medical and nursing care. With more than 500 physicians representing virtually every specialty, CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center is a 434-bed facility located in Los Angeles, Calif. that provides a full range of acute and emergency services.
SOURCE CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center
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