Publication Date: June 17th, 2024
Publication Type(s): Policy Brief
Topic(s): Health Information Technology, Healthcare Access, Hospitals and Clinics, Telehealth
Author(s): Neprash HT, McGlave CC, Rydberg K, and Henning-Smith C
Hospitals face a growing threat from ransomware attacks that are designed to disrupt care delivery and may consequently threaten patient outcomes and hospital finances. While this overall phenomenon has received media and research attention, little is known about ransomware attacks on hospitals in rural areas. This policy brief presents findings from a novel database of hospital ransomware attacks, focusing on the frequency and characteristics of ransomware attacks on rural hospitals.