What Happens to Rural Hospitals During a Ransomware Attack? Evidence from Medicare Data

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Explores the effects of ransomware attacks on hospital operations. Analyzes data from the Tracking Healthcare Ransomware Events and Traits (THREAT) database, which includes information for every hospital identified as experiencing a ransomware attack between 2016 and 2021, and linked to Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) claims data. Compares the characteristics of rural and urban hospitals that experienced a ransomware attack. Describes the impact of ransomware attacks on rural and urban inpatient admissions, outpatient and emergency room visit volume, and travel distance and time to the next closest hospital not experiencing an attack.

Hannah T. Neprash, Claire C. McGlave, Katie Rydberg, Carrie Henning-Smith

Journal of Rural Health, 40(4), 728-737

03/2024

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Access · Healthcare business and finance · Hospitals · Rural-urban differences · Statistics and data · Technology for health and human services