Tech

Illustration: Morning Brew Design, Photo: Adobe Stock

On July 19, 2024, a software update gone wrong at cybersecurity company CrowdStrike caused widespread outages across the country, shutting down flights, banks, and even some hospital operations.

CrowdStrike’s products and services provide software designed to protect IT infrastructure. But instead, an update triggered an error that cascaded into the outage.

Soon after the incident, we spoke with executives at Mass General Brigham (MGB), the largest health system in Massachusetts, about how it recovered. The outage caused 45,000 computers to get the blue screen of death—or crash—meaning MGB’s staff had to shift from digital to paper documentation. After the outage was resolved, the health system rushed to update electronic medical records (EMRs) and get their computers operational again.

MGB wasn’t the only healthcare organization impacted. A 2025 JAMA study reported that 759 hospitals had network disruptions stemming from the CrowdStrike outage.

In the two years since, MGB execs said they’ve learned some important lessons on how to prepare for future IT challenges.

Here’s how.—CM

      

From The Crew

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Hospitals

Francis Scialabba

Welcome to On Rotation, our monthly roundup of recent healthcare executive moves.

From health systems to health insurers, August was a busy month for c-suite appointments. So, without further ado, let’s get into it.

Keep reading here.—CC

      

Tech

Illustration: Brittany Holloway-Brown, Photos: Adobe Stock

Welcome to Recall Roundup!

Each month, we compile a list of recent medical device removals and corrections that the FDA has designated as Class I recalls.

The FDA divides medical device recalls into three severity levels, and Class I is the most dangerous, so it’s especially important for everyone working in healthcare to know about these.

Get the full rundown.—CC

      

vital signs

Francis Scialabba

Stat: 8.2%. That’s how much employer healthcare costs are predicted to spike in 2027. (Fierce Healthcare)

Quote: “While certain countries are cutting research and turning their back on academic freedom, we’re doubling down on science and we’re doubling down on research.”—Mélanie Joly, Canada’s minister of industry, on the country’s efforts to attract international researchers (Bloomberg)

Read: Millions of dollars in state opioid settlement payouts are going to law enforcement in one state. Louisiana sheriffs reportedly received 20% of the state’s cut. (KFF Health News)

Jobs

Real jobs, shared through real communities. CollabWORK brings opportunities directly to Healthcare Brew readers—no mass postings, no clutter, just roles worth seeing. Click here to view the full job board.

• Clinical Resource Director at HealthTrust Supply Chain
• Chief Nursing Officer at UVA Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital
• Chief Executive Officer at CHI St. Vincent Sherwood Rehabilitation Hospital
• Director of Nursing at PruittHealth
• Director of Nursing (DON) at Signature HealthCARE of Georgetown