OneBlood [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12], a non-profit blood center serving the southeastern United States [1] [6] [9], is currently facing a ransomware attack that has disrupted its information technology systems [1] [9], leading to a significant decrease in blood collection, testing [4], and distribution capacity [10].
Description
Over 75 hospitals in South Florida have been impacted [12], resulting in manual check-ins at donation sites [12]. To address the blood shortage [12], OneBlood is urging more individuals to donate blood [3], specifically O Positive [4], O Negative [3] [4] [6] [7] [11], and Platelets [1] [3] [4] [6] [7] [9] [11], as therapeutic donations cannot currently be processed [11]. Over 250 hospitals have activated critical blood shortage protocols [1] [3] [8] [11], and partnerships with other blood centers have been established to supplement supplies. Blood centers nationwide are sending extra blood and platelets to assist OneBlood [1] [3], with a particular need for O positive and O negative blood [1]. ImpactLife has joined a national effort to support OneBlood [10], shipping hundreds of blood products to help meet patient needs and looking to increase donations from volunteers in the community [10]. The AABB Interorganizational Disaster Response Task Force is coordinating the national response to support transfusion needs for hospitals served by OneBlood [10]. ImpactLife [10], part of the Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC) [10], will be on call next week to provide blood in times of crisis [10]. Donors giving blood during this time will receive vouchers for gift cards [10], bonus points [10], or donations to Make-a-Wish organizations [10]. Operating in Illinois [10], Iowa [10], Missouri [10], and Wisconsin [10], ImpactLife provides blood services to over 120 hospitals and emergency medical service providers [10]. Despite the ransomware event [5], OneBlood remains operational but is operating at a reduced capacity [6]. The organization is working with cybersecurity specialists and law enforcement to respond to the attack and prioritize the restoration of full functionality to its systems. Manual processes have been implemented to keep operations running [4] [11], but inventory availability is impacted [4] [11]. The national blood community is rallying to assist OneBlood and hospitals in need by sending blood and platelets [7], with an urgent need for O Positive [3] [6] [7] [11], O Negative [3] [4] [6] [7] [11], and Platelet donations [3] [6] [7] [11]. If eligible [6], individuals are urged to make an appointment to donate as soon as possible [6]. OneBlood serves hospitals in Alabama [8], Florida [1] [2] [8] [9] [12], Georgia [1] [8] [9], North Carolina [1] [8] [9], and South Carolina [1] [8] [9], and has advised these hospitals to activate their critical blood shortage protocols in response to the attack [1] [8].
Conclusion
The ransomware attack on OneBlood has had a significant impact on blood collection, testing [4], and distribution capacity [10], leading to a critical shortage of blood products. Efforts are being made to address the shortage, with partnerships established and donations encouraged. Despite operating at a reduced capacity [1] [2] [6] [9], OneBlood is working to restore full functionality to its systems [9]. The national blood community is providing support [7], but there is an urgent need for O Positive [11], O Negative [3] [4] [6] [7] [11], and Platelet donations [3] [6] [7] [11]. Individuals are urged to donate blood to help meet patient needs and support hospitals in the affected regions.
References
[1] https://www.wusf.org/health-news-florida/2024-07-31/ransomware-attack-disables-computers-at-blood-center-serving-250-hospitals-in-southeast-us
[2] https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/31/politics/cyberattack-oneblood-blood-donation/index.html
[3] https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/2024/07/31/oneblood-cyberattack-affects-blood-florida-hospitals/74615382007/
[4] https://www.yahoo.com/news/oneblood-issues-urgent-call-blood-163959535.html
[5] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ransomware-attack-blood-donation-center-oneblood-florida/
[6] https://www.oneblood.org/media/press-releases/oneblood-target-of-ransomware-event.html
[7] https://www.techtarget.com/healthtechsecurity/news/366599672/Ransomware-attack-hits-blood-donation-nonprofit
[8] https://siliconangle.com/2024/07/31/florida-based-blood-donation-nonprofit-oneblood-struck-ransomware-attack/
[9] https://apnews.com/article/blood-center-cyberattack-ransomware-florida-d82905237830b55fbbad30acee116893
[10] https://www.bloodcenter.org/about/news/news-releases/impactlife-joins-national-response-to-ransomware-attack-on-floridabased-oneblood/
[11] https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/urgent-blood-appeal-us-ransomware/
[12] https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/cyberattack-targets-blood-donation-center-oneblood-what-this-means-for-you/3377866/
