Hackers Gain Access to Medstar Health Records, Demands Ransom For Restoration

Computer hackers got into the system of the Medstar Health Inc., hospital chain on Monday and was able to access records of patients and doctors at the medical facility. There were reports that the persons responsible for the infiltration are asking for ransom.

WBAL TV reported that a virus was used to paralyze the booking process at the hospital and lock the e-mail accounts of its staff. Because of the hack, staff at the hospital were asked to turn off their computers.

Federal Bureau of Investigation officers said they are still looking into reports that the people responsible for the hack are asking money in exchange for system restoration. Since the virus got into the hospital chain's computer system, it has already crippled the services for the patients.

"We can't do anything at all. There's only one system we use, and now it's just paper," a MedStar employee told WBAL TV. It was noted that the virus made it impossible for staff members to log into their system.

The hospital, however, claimed that there is still no evidence that important patient information were stolen from their database. MedStar spokesperson Ann Nickels explained that the patient care of the hospitals was not affected but claimed that they are currently using a "paper backup system.

Nickels also told Washington Post that their company was quick to take down their system to avoid it from spreading. "We are working with our IT and cyber-security partners to fully assess and address the situation. Currently, all of our clinical facilities remain open and functioning," she added.

Despite the assurance from the hospital chain, the same report said that patients are still concerned that the hack could affect their records at the 10 hospitals and 250 outpatient centers which MedStar runs in Washington. It was noted that they serve "hundreds of thousands" of patients in these hospitals and medical centers.