IG1 – Cyber-attack, systems down – pharmacy be prepared!

Link to EAHP Statements
Section 1 – Introductory Statements and Governance: Statements – 1.1, 1.2, 1.7
Section 5 – Patient Safety and Quality Assurance: Statements – 5.2

Abstract
Cyberattacks on hospitals can have a devastating impact on patient safety and quality of care. More than 1 in 3 healthcare organizations reported being hit by ransomware in 2020, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the importance of cybersecurity in healthcare, with cyberattacks on hospitals increasing by 45% since November 2020.

The consequences of a cyberattack on a hospital pharmacy can be severe, including the theft of confidential patient data, the manipulation of medical records, and the disruption of critical medical equipment. It is essential that hospital pharmacies prioritize cybersecurity to protect their patients and confidential data. Hospitals must recognize that, in cyber incidents, the real victims are the patients. They are at risk physically and digitally when medical devices or treatments are compromised.

Hospitals should have a contingency plan in place to deal with cyberattacks. The checklist must include a disaster recovery plan to restore an organization’s protected health data, an emergency mode operation plan or a continuity of operations plan to maintain critical functions that protect health data security, and a data backup plan to routinely copy protected health data to ensure it can be restored in the event of a loss or disruption.

Hospitals should implement advanced technical protections, train employees in cyber protocols, and collaborate with cybersecurity experts to combat these risks. By doing so, they can ensure that their patients receive the highest quality of care and that their confidential data remains secure.

Learning objectives
After the session, the participant should be able to:

• Describe examples how the cyberattacks can affect the hospital work in general and pharmacy in particular.
• Outline the strengths and weaknesses of different disaster recovery plans.
• Discuss the role of hospital pharmacists in prioritizing pharmacy services.

Educational need addressed
This session will focus on how hospital pharmacists can become involved in management of cyberattacks.

Keywords
Cyberattack and cybersecurity, patient safety.