Ascension, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the US, has been hit by a cyberattack, causing significant disruption to its operations. The attack was so severe that the hospital network had to resort to pen and paper for its operations.
The cyberattack was detected on May 8, 2024, when Ascension noticed unusual activity on its computer network systems. The attack affected both the electronic records system and the MyChart system, which allows patients to access their records and communicate with their doctors. As a result, hospitals and clinics couldn’t access electronic health records, nor could patients use the separate portal to communicate with their providers. Phone systems and technology that order tests, procedures, and medications were also offline.
The impact of the attack was felt immediately. Ambulances were diverted, elective surgeries were suspended, and tests and appointments were rescheduled. Patients were advised to bring notes on their symptoms and a list of current medications and prescription numbers or prescription bottles to their appointments.
This incident is the latest in a series of cyberattacks disrupting the US healthcare system. Just last week, UnitedHealth Group Inc. faced congressional hearings over a breach at a subsidiary, Change Healthcare, that delayed billions of dollars of payments to doctors and hospitals and saw hackers make off with data on as many as one in three Americans.
Read more: Bloomberg