The University of New Mexico Health System is grappling with a cybersecurity incident that has forced it to divert ambulances and cancel patient appointments across its network. The issue, the extent and nature of which remain unclear, has significantly disrupted services at the state's largest academic medical center.
On Monday, the hospital in Albuquerque was unable to accept emergency patients, with employees stationed at the main entrance to inform arriving individuals about potential appointment cancellations. The health system encompasses more than 30 clinics in addition to its main hospital.
The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, a critical healthcare provider for the region, has also canceled classes for the day. The hospital system handles approximately 900,000 outpatient visits and 100,000 emergency room visits annually. Notably, it operates New Mexico's sole Level 1 trauma center, making the service disruption particularly impactful.
This incident occurs amidst a broader wave of concern regarding the security of digital systems that are integral to essential services, including healthcare and financial institutions.