RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Navigating our way through a hospital ransomware attack: ethical considerations in delivering acute orthopaedic care
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 121
OP 124
DO 10.1136/medethics-2021-107876
VO 49
IS 2
A1 Thomas William Hoffman
A1 Joseph Frederick Baker
YR 2023
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/49/2/121.abstract
AB Ransomware attacks on healthcare systems are becoming more prevalent globally. In May 2021, Waikato District Health Board in New Zealand was devastated by a major attack that crippled its information technology system. The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery faced a number of challenges to the way they delivered care including, patient assessment and investigations, the deferral of elective surgery, and communication and patient confidentiality. These issues are explored through the lens of the four key principles of medical ethics in the hope that they will provide some guidance to future departments who may experience such attacks.Data sharing not applicable as no datasets generated and/or analysed for this study. Not applicable.