Introduction: On July 19, 2024, SUNY Downstate Medical Center faced system-wide failures after a faulty CrowdStrike update. Disruptions to EMR, radiology, and lab workflows required immediate response. This presentation explores the impact and response to this global healthcare cybersecurity event. Methods: SUNY Downstate activated its Emergency Operations Center and manual protocols. Communication was maintained through departmental huddles, Sendword Now, and the Telegram app. External partners, including NYCDOH and GNYHA, were notified as IT worked to restore critical systems. Results: Through effective coordination, SUNY Downstate reduced downed workstations from 3,500 to 1,500 within hours. Critical systems, including EMR and radiology, were restored by the next day, allowing continued care despite manual lab operations and limited access to certain tests. Conclusion: This incident reinforced the need for robust emergency and cybersecurity protocols in healthcare. SUNY Downstate’s response minimized patient impact and highlighted the importance of preparedness, clear communication, and resilient systems for future incidents.
Guzmán et al. (Sun,) studied this question.