University Medical Center — a level 1 trauma center in Lubbock — by Friday was still diverting patients from the hospital as staff handles ongoing ransomware attacks causing IT outages.
Around 10 a.m. Thursday, UMC Health System released a statement stating the outage “has necessitated the implementation of local and regional diversion of patients to ensure the safety and continuity of care.”
As of Friday afternoon, UMC’s website says the hospital is still dealing with IT outages and does not have a timeline for resuming normal operations.
“Our healthcare facilities remain open across all access points including Emergency Centers and Urgent Care Clinics. Additionally, UMC Clinics remain open as regularly scheduled,” reads UMC’s website. “However, out of an abundance of caution, we will continue to temporarily divert incoming emergency and non-emergency patients via ambulance to nearby health facilities until this issue is resolved.”
UMC stated its investigation into the issues is still ongoing. It is collaborating with other third parties and has a team working around the clock to restore the hospital to normal operations.