Ascension “cybersecurity incident” disrupts some election procedures and appointments: NorthEscambia.com

Ascension Healthcare and Ascension Sacred Heart have suspended some “non-urgent elective procedures, tests and appointments” following a cybersecurity incident.

Late Thursday afternoon, an Ascension spokesperson said:

“Systems that are currently unavailable include our MyChart electronic health record system (which allows patients to view their medical records and communicate with their providers), some telephone systems, and various systems used to order certain tests, procedures and medications . We have established protocols and procedures in place to address these particular system failures and continue to provide safe care to patients. However, out of an abundance of caution, some non-urgent elective procedures, testing and appointments have been temporarily suspended while we work to bring systems back online. Our teams work directly with any patient whose appointment or procedure needs to be rescheduled. We understand the frustration this can cause and sincerely regret the inconvenience this may cause to our patients.

“Due to downtime, several hospitals are currently diverted to emergency medical services to ensure emergencies are treated immediately. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 and your local emergency medical services will take you to the nearest hospital emergency room.”

The company also said: “We have determined that this is a cybersecurity incident.” We are working around the clock with internal and external consultants to investigate, contain and recover our systems following a thorough validation and review process. Our investigation and restoration work will take time and we do not have a timetable for completion.

“It is expected that we will be using fallout procedures for some time. Patients should bring notes about their symptoms and a list of current medications and prescription numbers or prescription bottles to their appointment so that their care team can report medication needs to pharmacies.”