As first reported by Fierce Healthcare, Kettering Health in Ohio is grappling with a major cybersecurity incident that has caused a systemwide technology outage across its 14 medical centers and over 120 outpatient facilities. The network experienced unauthorized access that disrupted electronic health record systems and limited clinicians’ ability to access critical patient care systems. In response, the hospital canceled all elective inpatient and outpatient procedures and activated downtime procedures relying on manual documentation to ensure patient safety.
Source: spectrumnews1.com.
The ransomware attack not only crippled Kettering Health’s IT infrastructure but also triggered ambulance diversions and heightened emergency service alerts across the region. Local EMS agencies confirmed that emergency departments are diverting ambulances to other hospitals, while neighboring health systems brace for increased patient volumes. According to reports, a ransom note demanded extortion payment under threat of leaking stolen sensitive data online, intensifying concerns about data privacy and operational continuity.
Kettering Health’s leadership has assured the public that containment and mitigation steps are underway, with teams actively investigating and monitoring the situation to restore services securely and swiftly. Despite the severe disruption, emergency rooms and clinics remain open to treat patients. This incident underscores the growing threat ransomware poses to healthcare organizations and highlights the critical need for robust cybersecurity defenses and contingency plans in protecting patient care and sensitive data.
