UNM Health ransomware attack disrupts patient care, surgeries

The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center disclosed a cyberattack that caused system outages and disrupted patient care and academic activities.

On Monday, UNM Health, the university’s healthcare provider, began temporarily limiting new patient admissions, diverting ambulances to nearby hospitals, and suspending outpatient surgeries and appointments.

In an update on the incident, UNM said UNM Hospital and Sandoval Regional Medical Center remain open, and all clinics will resume scheduled appointments and procedures starting today, Tuesday, October 27.

Regarding emergencies, the healthcare organization advised that people should call 911.

However, today’s classes at its four health sciences schools are canceled, and nonessential HSC employees were instructed to stay home.

UNM Health is a major statewide provider of specialist care with more than 1 million patient visits annually.