Hospital Hackers Hold Patient Files for Ransom

LOS ANGELES, CA A cyberattack on Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center has prompted an investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department and FBI, officials said today.

An administrator at the East Hollywood hospital confirmed the attack, but said patient care was not compromised.

However several outlets including NBCLA.Com have reported that the hack has affected some treatment and wreaked havoc on the emergency room where doctors don’t have access to email and must communicate by fax. Additionally, there are reportedly some cases where doctors are unable to access prior medical records of patients. The hackers allegedly demanded millions to allow the hospital back into its files.

The attack was detected by staff and an internal emergency was declared, hospital President and CEO Allen Stefanek told NBC.

“We are investigating the compromise with partners at (the) LAPD to determine (the) person or group responsible,” said Laura Eimiller of the FBI’s Los Angeles office.

She declined to comment further.

The attack began last Friday and involved some patient files being locked and held for ransom, according to FOX11.

City News Service and Patch staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.