"Ransomware Attack Played Major Role in Shutdown of Illinois Hospital"

St. Margaret’s Health is shutting down hospitals and other facilities in Peru and Spring Valley, Illinois, and says a 2021 ransomware attack is partly to blame.  The cyberattack occurred in late February 2021 and forced the shutdown of the Spring Valley hospital’s computer network, impacting all web-based operations, including its patient portal.  The Peru branch was not affected, as it operated on a separate system.  The hospital said that the incident impacted its ability to bill patients and get paid in a timely manner for the provided services.  The systems were down for more than three months.  The hospital noted that compounded with the impact from the Covid-19 pandemic, a staff shortage, and rising costs of goods and services, the cyberattack forced the hospital to suspend some of its services in January this year.  On June 16, St. Margaret’s Health will shut down both the Peru and Spring Valley facilities.  In a video message on social media, St. Margaret’s chairwoman Suzanne Stahl announced that OSF HealthCare will acquire the hospital in Peru, which will help pay some of the Spring Valley location’s debts.  St. Margaret’s Health will also close clinics in Henry, LaSalle, and Streator and will sell other assets not included in the OSF HealthCare transaction.  St. Margaret’s Health is the first healthcare facility to link its closure to a ransomware attack.  

SecurityWeek reports: "Ransomware Attack Played Major Role in Shutdown of Illinois Hospital"