Suspected Cyberattack Disrupts Appointment System at Kumamoto Hospital

Summary

A Kumamoto hospital suspended its appointment system after its provider reported possible unauthorized access. Patients can still book by phone, but some services require manual work; other medical institutions using the provider’s system may also be affected.

Key points

• Fukuda Hospital in Kumamoto suspended use of its appointment system after the provider reported possible unauthorized access on the 14th.
• The hospital says about 400–500 people use the system daily.
• Patients cannot check same-day pediatric queue status through the system.
• Newborn vaccination appointments are being handled manually, taking up to about five minutes longer than through the system.
• Appointments remain possible by phone, and the hospital says medical examinations are not affected.
• Other medical institutions using the same provider’s system are believed to be affected.