One of the largest hospitals in West Texas, University Medical Center (UMC) Health System in Lubbock, has been severely impacted by a ransomware attack, leading to the diversion of ambulances and IT system failures across its facilities.
The attack, which began on September 26, 2024, left emergency and non-emergency patients temporarily redirected to nearby health centers as the hospital’s IT network was offline. UMC, the only level 1 trauma center within a 400-mile radius, scrambled to respond to the crisis while continuing to provide limited services to patients.
The ransomware attack forced hospital staff to operate on “downtime procedures,” resulting in significant delays and manual processes for accessing patient information. Radiology systems across various clinics were also affected, along with intermittent phone services. UMC patients were asked to bring physical copies of their prescriptions and other medical documents as their physicians no longer had access to digital records.
While some clinics remain open, the hospital is actively working with third-party investigators to restore full system functionality, though no timeline has been provided for when services will be fully operational.
Why It Matters: Once again, healthcare institutions‘ vulnerability to cyber threats is exposed, putting both patient safety and healthcare access at immediate risk. UMC’s status as the only major trauma center in West Texas means the impact extends beyond its clinics and facilities, affecting the broader community. This attack is part of a larger trend of ransomware targeting healthcare across the U.S., prompting legislative efforts to establish minimum cybersecurity standards and require hospitals to undergo stress tests to strengthen their defenses.
- Ambulance Diversions and IT Disruptions: The ransomware attack at UMC Health System has forced the hospital to divert emergency and non-emergency patients to nearby facilities. Many departments are relying on manual procedures to operate, significantly slowing down patient care and affecting service delivery.
- Patient Records and Radiology Systems Offline: Access to patient records has been severely limited, and radiology services across multiple clinics are unavailable. Patients are encouraged to bring physical copies of their medical information due to the lack of digital access, adding further strain on both patients and staff.
- Ongoing Recovery Efforts: UMC has enlisted third-party experts to aid in the recovery process, but the hospital has yet to provide a clear timeline for when services will be fully restored. The organization is balancing patient safety while navigating the restoration of critical IT functions.
- Impact on the Local Community: UMC’s role as the region’s sole level 1 trauma center makes the attack particularly concerning, as it disrupts critical care for patients across West Texas. Despite some recovery progress, the uncertainty around full-service restoration continues to cause delays in patient care.
UMC Health System Suffers Ransomware Attack, IT Outage – Tech Target
