UPDATE 5:00 P.M.
Both HCA Florida Capital Hospital and Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare have addressed the OneBlood ransomware event. ABC 27 contacted both to see if OneBlood's tech issue is impacting operations locally. Below are statements from HCA and TMH.
"We continue to monitor blood inventory levels and we are utilizing the resources of HCA Healthcare to evaluate alternative suppliers and provide clinical guidance to support our facilities and address our patients’ needs." - HCA Florida Capital Hospital
Spokesperson
"Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH) is fully operational, and we are taking steps to minimize the impact of reduced blood supply due to OneBlood’s ransomware event, which is impacting their ability to provide blood products. We are conserving blood supply, including rescheduling two complex elective surgeries. In addition, we are in communication with partners throughout the Southeast to identify additional supply sources. This afternoon, we formalized an agreement with an out-of-state distributor to augment our supply during this time. We are also working with regional and local partners to create opportunities for Tallahassee area residents to donate blood. We plan to have more information about these opportunities to share with our community soon." - Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Spokesperson
ORIGINAL STORY:
- OneBlood said Wednesday morning that they are operating at a "significantly reduced capacity" following a "ransomware event."
- OneBlood remains operational and continues to collect, test and distribute blood.
- Read the news release below to see how this is impacting their operations.
OB NEWS RELEASE:
OneBlood, the not-for-profit blood center serving much of the southeastern United States, is experiencing a ransomware event that is impacting its software system. OneBlood is working closely with cyber security specialists, and also federal, state and local agencies as part of their comprehensive response to the situation.
“OneBlood takes the security of our network extremely seriously. Our team reacted quickly to assess our systems and began an investigation to confirm the full nature and scope of the event. Our comprehensive response efforts are ongoing and we are working diligently to restore full functionality to our systems as expeditiously as possible,” said Susan Forbes, OneBlood senior vice president of corporate communications and public relations.
Although OneBlood remains operational and continues to collect, test and distribute blood, it is operating at a significantly reduced capacity.
“We have implemented manual processes and procedures to remain operational. Manual processes take significantly longer to perform and impacts inventory availability. In an effort to further manage the blood supply, we have asked the more than 250 hospitals we serve to activate their critical blood shortage protocols and to remain in that status for the time being,” said Forbes.
To help augment their supply the national blood community is rallying to assist OneBlood and the hospitals and patients it serves. Blood centers across the country are sending blood and platelets to OneBlood, and the AABB Disaster Task Force is coordinating national resources to assist with additional blood products being sent to OneBlood. All blood types are needed, but there is an urgent need for O Positive, O Negative and Platelet donations.
“The blood supply cannot be taken for granted. The situation we are dealing with is ongoing. If you are eligible to donate, we urge you to please make an appointment to donate as soon as possible,” said Forbes.
