Frederick Health Faces Ransomware Attack, Declares Mini-Disaster Alert

Frederick Health has confirmed a ransomware attack affecting its systems, prompting immediate action to mitigate the incident. Cybersecurity experts have been engaged to restore operations safely and efficiently while prioritizing patient care. As a precaution, the healthcare provider temporarily took its systems offline, relying on backup processes to continue services.

This story was updated 1/27/2025 with additional information

Despite the disruptions, Frederick Health facilities remain open, and most appointments are proceeding as scheduled. However, the hospital has acknowledged delays in certain services due to the ongoing situation. Frederick Health has reassured patients that emergency care remains accessible and advised individuals experiencing medical emergencies to contact 911 or visit the nearest emergency department.

This morning, Frederick Health Hospital (FHH) declared a Mini-Disaster Alert, temporarily suspending new patient intake. The Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) defines a Mini-Disaster as a situation significantly impairing a hospital’s ability to provide adequate patient care. Such conditions can include infrastructure failures, power outages, or other emergencies. During the alert, the hospital cannot accept ambulance-transported patients.

The Mini-Disaster Alert involves coordination with local EMS services to redirect patients to other facilities. According to MIEMSS protocols, the hospital must submit a detailed justification for the alert within 48 hours of its termination. Frederick Health continues to focus on resolving the ransomware event and resuming normal operations. The hospital is no longer on mini-disaster alert, and is now at “Yellow” and “Red” status.

While the Mini-Disaster alert ended at 11:30 am, at 4:24 pm, Frederick Health issued a re-route alert. While under re-route, only Priority 1 or Behavioral Health patients can be accepted, all other EMS will be re-routed to nearby hospitals, which are a minimum of 20 minutes away.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors.

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