Cyber Attack Disrupts Healthcare Services in El Paso
El Paso, Texas — The ripple effects of a cyber attack on Texas Tech’s health network have left many patients in El Paso grappling with significant disruptions to their healthcare services. Since the attack in September, the fallout has been felt across the region, with numerous patients reporting delays and cancellations that have left them anxious about their care.
Patient Experiences: A Frightening Reality
Crystal Castro, a Texas Tech patient, shared her distressing experience as she navigates recovery from a C-section and a herniated disk. The cyber attack has severely impacted her ability to receive necessary medical services, including a CT scan and access to pain medication. "I’m just trying to get my health back together," Castro expressed. "And me not knowing what’s going on is a little frightening to me."
The uncertainty surrounding the restoration of services has left patients like Castro in a state of limbo. "I can’t do nothing with that until the systems are back up," she lamented, highlighting the frustration of being told to call daily for updates without any clear answers.
Widespread Impact on the Community
Castro’s concerns are echoed by many others in the El Paso community. KFOX14/CBS4 reached out to the public via social media, inviting individuals affected by the outage to share their experiences. The response was overwhelming, with numerous El Pasoans expressing their frustrations. One commenter noted, "Appointments canceled, is frustrating," while another lamented, "I can’t get my prescriptions refilled." An employee from the network also chimed in, stating, "can’t get our patients scheduled for procedures they need."
These comments paint a picture of a community in distress, where the inability to access timely medical care is causing anxiety and uncertainty. The cyber attack has not only disrupted individual patient care but has also strained the healthcare system’s ability to function effectively.
Texas Tech Health Network’s Response
In light of the ongoing issues, KFOX14/CBS4 reached out to Texas Tech Health El Paso for a statement regarding the situation. However, the network has opted to remain tight-lipped, indicating that they will not provide further comments until their investigation into the cyber attack is complete. This lack of communication has only added to the frustration felt by patients and healthcare workers alike, who are left in the dark about when normal operations might resume.
Call for Community Support
As the situation continues to unfold, KFOX14/CBS4 is encouraging anyone affected by the service interruptions to reach out to their newsroom. Patients and community members are invited to share their stories, which could help shed light on the broader impact of the cyber attack and potentially prompt a quicker response from the health network.
In a time when healthcare is more critical than ever, the challenges posed by this cyber attack serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities within our healthcare systems. As El Pasoans navigate this difficult period, the hope remains that services will be restored soon, allowing patients to receive the care they desperately need.