5PSQ-016 Simulation of a cyberattack in a hospital pharmacy: development of tools to ensure continuity of care

<h3>Background and Importance</h3> Healthcare establishments are increasingly vulnerable to cyber-attacks which can compromise the continuity of care, particularly in the pharmacy sector. In our hospital pharmacy, we carried a cyber-attack simulation in order to identify the critical points and to find alternative tools to ensure the continuity of pharmaceutical tasks. <h3>Aim and Objectives</h3> The aim of this study is to highlight the needs in order to develop alternative tools or specific procedures to guarantee the continuity of pharmaceutical activities in case of a cyber incident. <h3>Material and Methods</h3> A cyber-attack simulation in a form of a complete informatics system failure was carried out for one afternoon. Pharmacy staff were involved to identify the critical points that prevented the provision of services and continuity of care following the cyber-attack. <h3>Results</h3> The entire pharmacy team (pharmacists, pharmacy assistants, secretary, storekeeper, etc.) was divided into three working groups to design tools to maintain the continuity of care : supply, prescription and dispensation. Each group developed manual tools (tracking sheets, Excel spreadsheets, etc.). For example, the supply group created an automated order form based on an extraction of current data using an Excel file. The prescription group developed an Excel file containing protocol references to automate chemotherapy prescriptions, while generating production sheets and the corresponding labels. The dispensing medicines group has set up a binder listing services supplies (medicines, medical devices, gases, narcotics, antidotes, etc.) and paper registers for managing narcotics, outpatients and blood-derived medicines. In addition, a ’back-up’ computer, offline, was set up with all the back-up documents. <h3>Conclusion and Relevance</h3> This study has highlighted the need for tools and organisational measures to ensure the continuity of pharmaceutical care during a cyber-attack. A new cyber-attack simulation will be carried out to test the robustness of the tools developed. The results of this simulation underline the importance of establishing tailor-made continuity plans as well as regular testing of their effectiveness. <h3>References and/or Acknowledgements</h3> <h3>Conflict of Interest</h3> No conflict of interest