A hospital in the US closes after a cyber attack: an unprecedented case

A medical center in the state of Illinois, USA, has announced it will have to close its doors due to the financial impact of a ransomware attack. That attack, which occurred in 2021, crippled the hospital’s computer systems and prevented financial claims from being submitted to insurance companies and government agencies for several months. This resulted in significant financial difficulties for the facility. Experts believe this is the first time a hospital has had to close due to a cyberattack.

The impact of the cyberattack

The closure of “St. Margaret’s Health” hospital in Spring Valley was announced last month. Hospital management said a combination of factors, including the Covid 19 pandemic, the cyberattack and a shortage of staff, had made it impossible to keep operations going. The hospital’s closure has had a significant impact on the community, as residents must now travel longer distances to receive emergency medical care or obstetric care.

Cyber Attacks on Healthcare Facilities: A Growing Threat

Cyberattacks on healthcare facilities are unfortunately not uncommon. In the recent past, one of the largest hospitals in Barcelona had to cancel hundreds of surgeries after a ransomware attack. Several hospitals in Germany have also fallen victim to such attacks. The ransomware attack on St. Margaret’s Health hospital had a devastating impact. It was unable to submit financial claims to insurance companies and government agencies for more than three months, resulting in significant financial losses.

The future of health care in the region

Despite the closure of the Spring Valley hospital, the administration is working to find alternative ways to maintain health care in the region. Another hospital, operated by SMP Health in the nearby town of Peru, already closed its doors in January. However, there are plans to reopen that hospital with the help of another health organization in the United States.

Cyberattacks threaten the existence of businesses

This incident underscores the increasing threat of cyberattacks to businesses and organizations. Late last year, a ransomware attack led to the bankruptcy of Prophete, a traditional German bicycle manufacturer. It is becoming increasingly clear that cyberattacks not only threaten data and systems, but can also jeopardize the very existence of companies and organizations.