OneBlood, the primary provider of blood in Florida, is operating at a reduced capacity after experiencing a ransomware attack.
Cybersecurity experts are still determining the nature of the attack and a plan to get its computer systems back online.
In the meantime, OneBlood is still collecting, testing and distributing blood, but at a reduced capacity as it's shifted to manual operations.
But it said there would be delays in getting that blood to the more than 250 hospitals it serves.
The delays are due to the loss of automated systems from the cyberattack, which is hurting turnaround times and inventory capacity.
Susan Forbes, vice president of communications at OneBlood, said that it was unclear what information had been compromised by the attack, but OneBlood has urged hospitals to begin using blood shortage protocols and keep them active until the software issues are resolved.
“That basically just means they're managing the supply on hand, and assessing their usage at this time,” Forbes said.
OneBlood serves hospitals in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Central Florida Public Media reached out to Orlando Health regarding the cyberattack. It stated it was working with OneBlood "to manage the situation so our patients may continue to receive essential blood products."
AdventHealth Central Florida stated it was operating blood conservation protocols. HCA Florida Osceola Hospital said it was working with alternative suppliers and providing clinical guidance to support facilities.
Another health care ransomware attack
Cybersecurity experts advise residents who suspect their information may have been taken to monitor financial and credit records for any unusual activity, put a freeze on their credit record, and change their passwords.
OneBlood’s cyberattack, announced Wednesday, comes almost a month after the Florida Department of Health was targeted in a ransomware attack. As a result, the department saw its ability to distribute death and birth certificates stymied.
Thomas Hyslip, an assistant professor in the cybercrime program in the University of South Florida Criminology Department, said cybersecurity threats like this are becoming increasingly prevalent in health care and other key sectors.
"Health care in general has been hit pretty hard in the last few years,” Hyslip said. “It's because it's such a critical infrastructure, they're going to be more likely to pay the ransom quickly to get back up online, rather than risk being down for a long time.”
Call to donate blood
The OneBlood outage comes with blood shortages already being experienced throughout Florida.
Other blood centers have begun assisting OneBlood by coordinating efforts to provide additional blood and platelets until restoration efforts are complete. OneBlood said there's a particular need for O-positive and O-negative blood.
Lauren Rosen, community relations manager for the NCH Community Blood Center in Collier County, said that the call to donate is to ensure local inventories remain optimal for hospitals.
"Immediate donor response from community members is critical to shore up supplies and ensure patients continue to receive lifesaving treatment," Rosen told WGCU in Fort Myers. "All blood types are needed, but platelet donations are in serious demand because of their short shelf life."
One Blood is urging those eligible to donate to make an appointment as soon as possible.
“The message has not changed,” Forbes said “So no matter the circumstances that we are facing, our life-saving mission will prevail.”
Click here for information about donating with OneBlood.
Click herefor information about donating with NCH Community Blood Center.
Information from WGCU was used in this report.
