Tech Takedown: Navigating Cybersecurity Incidents in the Infection Prevention Department

Session Description: In recent years, the healthcare sector has become a prime target for cyber attacks, with ransomware incidents escalating in frequency and severity. These attacks force facilities to shift to downtime procedures, posing significant challenges in an era where reliance on technology is pervasive.

This session will explore the multifaceted impacts of ransomware attacks on healthcare operations, with a specific focus on the infection prevention department. During such incidents, technology disruptions can severely impair communication between departments, notably impacting the collaboration between the laboratory and infection prevention, where organism surveillance is critical for numerous infection control activities. These interruptions can delay or complicate the reporting processes essential for both infection prevention and patient care while also hindering regulatory compliance.

Effective management of these incidents relies heavily on strong interdepartmental partnerships within your facility. An all-hands-on-deck approach is crucial, with frequent rounding activities and continuous communication ensuring that all clinical areas are aligned with infection prevention endeavors.

Attendees will gain insights into how cybersecurity incidents disrupt infection prevention efforts and the critical need to emphasize basic infection control practices—such as hand hygiene, isolation compliance, and adherence to central line and device bundle protocols. This session will highlight the importance of proactive preparation, including the development of robust protocols and procedures to mitigate the impact of such cyber incidents.

Participants will leave with practical strategies and actionable recommendations to enhance their department’s resilience during such downtime events, ensuring that infection prevention and patient safety remain effective during technological disruptions.