UMC ransomware attack, TTUHSC IT issues impacting patient care

This story has been updated with new information.
Two of the three biggest medical institutions in Lubbock and West Texas are currently experiencing IT issues that are impacting medical care.
University Medical Center System started experiencing IT issues on Thursday morning, which were confirmed to be a ransomware attack. Four days later, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center confirmed that it was also being impacted by IT issues but did not confirm if they were linked to UMC’s issues.
As of Monday evening, UMC is still diverting select patients from its emergency room, and TTUHSC has limited its Tuesday clinical operations while resuming classes. Covenant also confirmed that its hospitals and clinics remain fully operational.
With Lubbock’s medical institutions being hindered, here is what we know so far.
Ransomware attack at UMC continues after five days
As first reported, UMC notified the general public on Sept. 26 that its hospital was facing an IT issue but confirmed a day later that the issue was being caused by a ransomware attack.
According to UMC’s IT Outage website, as of Monday afternoon, the hospital’s emergency room and urgent care clinics remain open, and certain departments are implementing downtime procedures but are slowly restoring normal hospital operations.
Previous Reporting:Ransomware attack continues at UMC hospital in Lubbock. Here is what you need to know
“UMC’s Emergency Center is now accepting patients via ambulance. However, out of an abundance of caution, the Emergency Center continues to divert a select number of patients until all UMC resources are fully functioning,” stated the website.
UMC Physician clinics also remain open, but patients are warned that they may encounter delays in care and are encouraged to being their medical prescription list with them to appointments.
For more information about the ongoing issue visit: www.umchealthsystem.com/it-outage/.
UMC Urgent Care clinics
- 7501 Quaker Avenue
- 6002 Slide Road
- 11102 Headquarters Drive
- 7501 Quaker Avenue
- 808 Joliet Ave. Medical Office Plaza II, Suite 110
TTUHSC operations continue to be hindered by unspecified IT issue
On Sunday evening, TTUHSC issued an alert to the campus community about an ongoing IT issue limiting the university’s clinical operations and cancelations of classes on Monday.
On Monday evening, TTUHSC provided an update stating there will be limited clinical operations at campuses and sites on Tuesday.
“We are addressing an IT issue. Until resolved, electronic resources are suspended,” read the update.
As for academic classes, TTUHSC stated that it will be resuming normal on-campus academics and operations on Tuesday.
Previous Reporting:IT issue impacting Texas Tech HSC clinic, classroom operations
The ongoing IT issues are not only limited to the Lubbock campus and clinics but also affect the Amarillo, Permian Basin, Abilene and Dallas campuses. For context, TTUHSC services over 120 counties in Texas.
Texas Tech Physicians — a part of TTUHSC — also posted on social media Monday that its clinic’s phone lines were down due to the ongoing IT issue. In addition, TTP can not communicate with patients through its online portal.
What is a ransomware attack?
According to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, ransomware “is malware designed to encrypt files on a device, rendering any files and the systems that rely on them unusable.”
The people who deploy the malware then demand ransom in exchange for releasing the files and systems to the owners.
According to the CISA, ransomware attacks have been growing in frequency over the years among state, local and national government entities and critical infrastructure organizations.
Is Covenant Health System being impacted?
As of 2 p.m. Monday, no. Covenant remains fully operational. A spokesperson for Covenant released the following statement to the A-J:
At this moment, we are not experiencing an IT or phone outage at any of our locations. We are continuing to care for the patients who seek medical care at Covenant Health.
With Covenant ER being the only one fully operational during this time to receive EMS, Covenant reported that ER wait times are up. On Monday, Covenant asked those seeking medical treatment for non-emergency ailments to visit one of its urgent care clinics.
Covenant Health urgent care clinics
- 1910 Quaker Ave., Suite 101
- 5202 82nd St.
- 9812 Slide Rd.
- 611 N. Frankford Ave.
- 7601 Quaker Ave.
- Grace Clinic — 4515 Marsha Sharp Freeway
What is the difference between urgent care clinics, emergency rooms?
Here are reasons to go to an urgent care clinic rather than the emergency room, according to Covenant:
- Ear infections.
- Fever.
- Rash.
- Sore throat.
- Minor cuts and burns.
- Colds and flu symptoms.
- Broken bones.
- Sprains and sports injuries.
- Urinary tract infections.
- Mild allergic reactions or asthma attacks.
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
- Lab and x-ray services on-site.
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