Ascension health care reported that it's dealing with a "cyber security event" across the country. l Shahadat Rahman via Unsplash.
Published on May 9, 2024 at 4:54 pm
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The Ascension health care system is investigating a “cyber security event” that it says has disrupted access to some systems and clinical operations.
The health system announced the event Thursday in a national news release. Ascension operates in 19 states, including a network of hospitals and health centers across Northeast Florida.
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The scope of problems in Northeast Florida was unclear. Local Ascension spokesman Gary Nevolis said the effects across the system included electronic health records system, MyChart (which enables patients to view their medical records and communicate with their providers), some phone systems, and various systems utilized to order certain tests, procedures and medications.
“Out of an abundance of caution, some non-emergent elective procedures, tests and appointments have been temporarily paused while we work to bring systems back online,” Nevolis said in a written statement. “Our teams are working directly with any patient whose appointment or procedure will need to be rescheduled. We understand the frustration this may cause and sincerely regret any inconvenience to our patients.”
Nevolis advised patients to bring to their appointment notes on their symptoms and a list of current medications and prescription numbers or the prescription bottles so their care team can call in medication needs to pharmacies.
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According to the national news release, Ascension said it detected “unusual activity” on its technology network systems on Wednesday. The health system said it started an investigation and took actions to stop the event.
Ascension said the cyber incident disrupted clinical operations and the company continues to assess the effect. The health system said it has procedures in place to make sure patient care continues and is minimally affected.
Ascension is working with a third party expert to fully investigate whether any personal information may have been affected. If sensitive information was affected, Ascension said it would notify the people involved and assist them.
Ascension did not say how it would support those individuals.
This story was updated May 10, 2024, with a statement from Ascension.
