Ascension Via Christi recommends business partners disconnect due to a “cyber security event.”

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Ascension Via Christi is recommending that business partners temporarily suspend connection to the Ascension environment due to what they believe is a “cybersecurity incident.”

The Sedgwick County report confirms that EMS is diverting patients to other emergency facilities for the time being.

According to Ascension Via Christi, “unusual activity” was detected on select technology systems on Wednesday, May 8th.

“We responded immediately, beginning our investigation and activating our remedial actions,” Ascension Via Christi said. “Our care teams are trained to deal with these types of disruptions and have procedures in place to ensure patient care continues to be safe and disrupted as minimally as possible. A disruption to clinical operations occurred and we continue to assess the impact and duration of the disruption.”

Access to some systems has been interrupted while the investigation continues.

Ascension Via Christi has retained Madiant, an outside expert, to assist with the investigation and remediation process. Ascension Via Christi has also notified the relevant authorities.

“Together, we are working to fully investigate what, if any, information may be affected by the situation,” Ascension Via Christi said. “If we determine that sensitive information has been affected, we will notify and assist those individuals in accordance with all relevant regulatory and legal guidelines.”

Ascension Via Christi will inform business partners when it is safe to reconnect.

For the latest update from Ascension Via Christi click here.

KSN will provide further information as it becomes available.