Polish Provincial Hospital in Szczecin hit by cyberattack, switches to paper-based operations

The Provincial Hospital in Szczecin on Arkońska Street was the target of a successful hacker attack that paralyzed the facility's key IT systems. The cyberattack affected the digital infrastructure, leading to software infection and preventing standard work for medical and administrative staff. In response to the situation, the hospital management decided to immediately launch emergency procedures. This means most processes, including patient registration and medical documentation flow, are now conducted in paper mode.

Despite the technical paralysis, the priority remains the continuity of medical care. Representatives of the facility issued an official statement reassuring patients and their families. As emphasized by the spokesperson of the Provincial Hospital in Szczecin: „Nie ma zagrożenia dla pacjentów” (There is no threat to patients) — spokesperson for the Provincial Hospital in Szczecin. Simultaneously, the hospital appealed for patience, as the return to traditional documentation methods significantly extends waiting times for specific services. The facility's IT services are conducting intensive actions aimed at isolating the threat and restoring full network functionality. So far, no information has been provided about any potential financial demands from the perpetrators or a leak of sensitive data.

Hospital work organization before and after the attack: documentation handling: primarily IT system → partially paper documentation; operating mode: standard → emergency; patient service: without extraordinary difficulties → difficulties and appeal for patience

The incident has been officially reported to the authorities dealing with cybersecurity, confirming the seriousness of the situation. 0 — confirmed information about a ransom Although there have been no media reports about hacker demands, investigators are examining the perpetrators' motives. Polish hospitals have for years been among the most vulnerable public institutions, as they combine patient care with extensive digital infrastructure. In recent years, successive incidents in healthcare have shown that even a brief disruption of system operations can force a return to paper documentation and slow down registration and information flow. Currently, there is no information that the hospital had to suspend admissions to wards, but patients must expect logistical difficulties.