A major hospital network in New Mexico was forced to divert patients on Monday after encountering a cybersecurity issue that disrupted its operations and left the state without an emergency department equipped to handle the most critical injuries.

The University of New Mexico Health System (UNM Health System) advised individuals not to visit its main hospital in Albuquerque and canceled appointments across its more than 30 clinics. At the hospital’s main entrance, staff members informally blocked access to waiting areas and notified patients about potential appointment cancellations.

While the health system confirmed it was actively working to address the problem, officials did not disclose details regarding the nature or scope of the cybersecurity incident. The disruption led to ambulance services rerouting patients to other medical facilities in the region.

UNM’s Health Sciences Center, the state’s largest academic medical center, announced the cancellation of classes and indicated it would remain closed for the day as the response continued. The hospital network plays a critical role in New Mexico’s healthcare infrastructure, handling approximately 900,000 outpatient visits and 100,000 emergency room visits annually. It also operates the state’s only Level 1 trauma center, underscoring the significance of the disruption.

The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the vulnerability of digital systems that support essential services, including healthcare and banking. Authorities at UNM Health System are focused on restoring operations and minimizing the impact on patient care while investigating the cybersecurity issue.

Reporting by Christopher Keller and additional contributions from Wufei Yu.