Texas Panhandle RAC Employs Plum Cases to Restore Hospital Connectivity During Cyberattacks
Overview
A cyberattack disrupted the operations of several hospitals within the Ascension Health network, including facilities in Amarillo and Austin. These hospitals faced significant challenges due to the complete shutdown of their internet connectivity, impacting patient care and critical systems. The Texas Panhandle Regional Advisory Council (RAC) swiftly provided Plum Cases to restore connectivity, enabling the hospitals to maintain operations and continue providing essential care. Additional support from other regional advisory councils further stabilized the affected facilities.
About
The Texas Panhandle RAC is dedicated to promoting, developing, and advancing an effective emergency care system through regional cooperation, planning, and coordination. Serving the Panhandle region of Texas, the organization aims to improve emergency healthcare delivery and outcomes by facilitating the collaboration of medical professionals, hospitals, and emergency service providers. The Panhandle RAC supports initiatives in emergency preparedness, trauma care, disaster response, and overall health system improvement to ensure the well-being of the communities within its region. For more information, visit www.panhandlerac.org
Challenge
In May 2024, a severe cyberattack disrupted operations at multiple hospitals, including a 300-bed facility in Amarillo and another in Austin, both part of the Ascension Health network. These hospitals were targeted by foreign hackers, resulting in a complete internet shutdown. The lack of connectivity severely impacted the hospitals’ ability to access patient records, and other critical systems, posing a significant risk to patient care and hospital operations.
Solution
RAC’s swift action of providing Plum Cases allowed the hospitals to maintain ICU operations and avoid transferring patients to other facilities, ensuring continuity of care. Additionally, other regional advisory councils throughout Texas lent Plum Cases to the hospitals affected by the attack, further enhancing the connectivity and operational stability across the impacted facilities.
Outcome
Overall, the Texas Panhandle RAC’s Plum Cases, along with additional support from other regional advisory councils, played a crucial role in mitigating the impact of the cyberattacks. These cases allowed the hospitals to continue providing essential patient care and maintain their operations. The successful implementation of Plum Cases during these emergencies highlighted their reliability and effectiveness as a solution for restoring connectivity in crisis situations.
- Amarillo Hospital: The Texas Panhandle RAC’s Plum Cases supported over 200 hospital staff and maintained operations for approximately five weeks. The connectivity allowed the hospital to function seamlessly, despite the ongoing cyberattack.
- Austin Hospital: Following the success in Amarillo, another Plum Case was loaned to a hospital in Austin, which was facing a similar cyberattack. The Plum Case enhanced internet connectivity, enabling the hospital to stay operational and avoid closures.
