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Keogh RJ, Harvey H, Brady C, Hassett E, Costelloe SJ, O'Sullivan MJ, Twomey M, O'Leary MJ, Cahill MR, O'Riordan A, Joyce CM, Moloney G, Flavin A, M Bambury R, Murray D, Bennett K, Mullooly M, O'Reilly S. Dealing with digital paralysis: Surviving a cyberattack in a National Cancer center. J Cancer Policy 2024; 39:100466. [PMID: 38176467 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpo.2023.100466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cyberattacks represent a growing threat for healthcare delivery globally. We assess the impact and implications of a cyberattack on a cancer center in Ireland. METHODS On May 14th 2021 (day 0) Cork University Hospital (CUH) Cancer Center was involved in the first national healthcare ransomware attack in Ireland. Contingency plans were only present in laboratory services who had previously experienced information technology (IT) failures. No hospital cyberattack emergency plan was in place. Departmental logs of activity for 120 days after the attack were reviewed and compared with historical activity records. Daily sample deficits (routine daily number of samples analyzed - number of samples analyzed during cyberattack) were calculated. Categorical variables are reported as median and range. Qualitative data were collected via reflective essays and interviews with key stakeholders from affected departments in CUH. RESULTS On day 0, all IT systems were shut down. Radiotherapy (RT) treatment and cancer surgeries stopped, outpatient activity fell by 50%. hematology, biochemistry and radiology capacity fell by 90% (daily sample deficit (DSD) 2700 samples), 75% (DSD 2250 samples), and 90% (100% mammography/PET scan) respectively. Histopathology reporting times doubled (7 to 15 days). Radiotherapy (RT) was interrupted for 113 patients in CUH. The median treatment gap duration was six days for category 1 patients and 10 for the remaining patients. Partner organizations paused all IT links with CUH. Outsourcing of radiology and radiotherapy commenced, alternative communication networks and national conference calls in RT and Clinical Trials were established. By day 28 Email communication was restored. By day 210 reporting and data storage backlogs were cleared and over 2000 computers were checked/replaced. CONCLUSION Cyberattacks have rapid, profound and protracted impacts. While laboratory and diagnostic deficits were readily quantified, the impact of disrupted/delayed care on patient outcomes is less readily quantifiable. Cyberawareness and cyberattack plans need to be embedded in healthcare. POLICY SUMMARY Cyberattacks pose significant challenges for healthcare systems, impacting patient care, clinical outcomes, and staff wellbeing. This study provides a comprehensive review of the impact of the Conti ransomware attack on cancer services in Cork University Hospital (CUH), the first cyberattack on a national health service. Our study highlights the widespread disruption caused by a cyberattack including shutdown of information technology (IT) services, marked reduction in outpatient activity, temporary cessation of essential services such as radiation therapy. We provide a framework for other institutions for mitigating the impact of a cyberattack, underscoring the need for a cyberpreparedness plan similar to those made for natural disasters and the profound legacy of a cyberattack on patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel J Keogh
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland; Cancer Research @UCC, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Ireland.
| | - Harry Harvey
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
| | - Claire Brady
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland; Cancer Research @UCC, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Ireland; Cancer Trials Cork, Cork University Hospital, Ireland
| | - Edel Hassett
- Cancer Research @UCC, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Ireland; Cancer Trials Cork, Cork University Hospital, Ireland
| | - Seán J Costelloe
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
| | - Martin J O'Sullivan
- Department of Breast Surgery, Cork University Hospital, Ireland; University College Cork, College Road, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Maria Twomey
- Department of Radiology, Cork University Hospital, Ireland
| | - Mary Jane O'Leary
- Palliative Medicine, Marymount University Hospital and Hospice, Cork, Ireland; Palliative Medicine, Cork University Hospital, Ireland
| | - Mary R Cahill
- Department of Haematology, Cork University Hospital, Ireland
| | | | - Caroline M Joyce
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland; INFANT Centre, University College Cork, Ireland; Pregnancy Loss Research Group, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University College Cork, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Ger Moloney
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Department, Cork University Hospital, Ireland
| | - Aileen Flavin
- Bon Secours Radiotherapy Cork in Partnership with UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre, Cork, Ireland
| | - Richard M Bambury
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland; Cancer Research @UCC, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Ireland; Cancer Trials Cork, Cork University Hospital, Ireland; Cancer Research @UCC, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Kathleen Bennett
- School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences Dublin, Ireland
| | - Maeve Mullooly
- School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences Dublin, Ireland
| | - Seamus O'Reilly
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Ireland; Cancer Research @UCC, College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Ireland; Cancer Trials Cork, Cork University Hospital, Ireland; Cancer Research @UCC, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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O'Reilly S, Kathryn Carroll H, Murray D, Burke L, McCarthy T, O'Connor R, Kilty C, Lynch S, Feighan J, Cloherty M, Fitzpatrick P, Falvey K, Murphy V, Jane O'Leary M, Gregg S, Young L, McAuliffe E, Hegarty J, Gavin A, Lawler M, Kavanagh P, Spillane S, McWade T, Heffron M, Ryan K, Kelly PJ, Murphy A, Corrigan M, Redmond HP, Redmond P, Walsh PM, Tierney P, Zhang M, Bennett K, Mullooly M. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer care in Ireland - Perspectives from a COVID-19 and Cancer Working Group. J Cancer Policy 2023; 36:100414. [PMID: 36841473 PMCID: PMC9951610 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpo.2023.100414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Upon the COVID-19 pandemic onset in Ireland, cancer service disruptions occurred due to prioritisation of COVID-19 related care, redeployment of staff, initial pausing of screening, diagnostic, medical and surgical oncology procedures, staff shortages due to COVID-19 infection and impacts on the physical and mental health of cancer healthcare workers. This was coupled with reluctance among people with symptoms suspicious for cancer to attend for clinical evaluation, due to concerns of contracting the virus. This was further compounded by a cyber-attack on national health service IT systems on May 14th 2021. The Irish Cancer Society, a national cancer charity with a role in advocacy, research and patient supports, convened a multi-disciplinary stakeholder group (COVID-19 and Cancer Working Group) to reflect on and understand the impact of the pandemic on cancer patients and services in Ireland, and discuss potential mitigation strategies. Perspectives on experiences were gathered across domains including timeliness of data acquisition and its conversion into intelligence, and the resourcing of cancer care to address cancer service impacts. The group highlighted aspects for future research to understand the long-term pandemic impact on cancer outcomes, while also highlighting potential strategies to support cancer services, build resilience and address delayed diagnosis. Additional measures include the need for cancer workforce recruitment and retention, increased mental health supports for both patients and oncology professionals, improvements to public health messaging, a near real-time multimodal national cancer database, and robust digital and physical infrastructure to mitigate impacts of the current pandemic and future challenges to cancer care systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seamus O'Reilly
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cork University Hospital and Cancer Research@UCC, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Cancer Trials Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Hailey Kathryn Carroll
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cork University Hospital and Cancer Research@UCC, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Deirdre Murray
- School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; National Cancer Registry Ireland, Cork, Ireland
| | - Louise Burke
- Department of Pathology, Cork University Hospital and University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | | | | | - Sonya Lynch
- PPI Contributor c/o Cancer Research, UCC University College Cork, T12 DCA4 Cork, Ireland
| | - Jennifer Feighan
- Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute, Airfield Estate, Overend Ave, Dundrum, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Maeve Cloherty
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cork University Hospital and Cancer Research@UCC, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Patricia Fitzpatrick
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; National Screening Service, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | - Mary Jane O'Leary
- Palliative Medicine, Marymount University Hospital and Hospice, Cork, Ireland
| | - Sophie Gregg
- Palliative Medicine, Marymount University Hospital and Hospice, Cork, Ireland
| | - Leonie Young
- Endocrine Oncology Research Group, Department of Surgery, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eilish McAuliffe
- UCD IRIS Centre, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems, University College Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Anna Gavin
- Northern Ireland Cancer Registry, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Mark Lawler
- Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK; DATA-CAN, the UK's Health Data Research Hub for Cancer, UK
| | - Paul Kavanagh
- National Health Intelligence Unit, Strategy and Research, Jervis House, Jervis St, Health Service Executive, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - Susan Spillane
- Health Information and Quality Authority, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Terry McWade
- Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Karen Ryan
- Department of Palliative Medicine, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital and St Francis Hospice Dublin, Ireland
| | - Paul J Kelly
- Bon Secours Radiotherapy Centre, Bon Secours, Cork, Ireland; UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre, Cork, Ireland
| | - Aileen Murphy
- Department of Economics, Cork University Business School, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Mark Corrigan
- Department of Breast Surgery, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - H Paul Redmond
- Department of Breast Surgery, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - Patrick Redmond
- Department of General Practice, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | | | - Mengyang Zhang
- School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kathleen Bennett
- School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Maeve Mullooly
- School of Population Health, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
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