Ascension is investigating an apparent cyber security event after the company detected ‘unusual activity’ on certain network systems.
Ascension said they responded immediately by beginning to investigate and activating their ‘remediation efforts’.
The disturbance happened to the parent company of St. John, Ascension, but it has led to technical difficulties at the Tulsa hospital, and all other Ascension locations.
Emergency and in-house patient care is continuing to operate as usual. The difficulties stem from software and looking up information on their systems. So its led to some longer lines in the non-emergency, and also troubles getting in new patient appointments.
Both St. Francis and Hillcrest have seen a spike in new patients today after the issue at Ascension.
A third party expert, Mandiant, was called to assist in the investigation and Ascension has notified the authorities.
If any sensitive information was compromised, Ascension said they will notify and support those who were affected.
Ascension’s business partners are recommended to temporarily suspend their connection the Ascension environment and will inform them when its OK to reconnect.
Ascension released the following statement in part following the cyber security event.
“Our care teams are trained for these kinds of disruptions and have initiated procedures to ensure patient care delivery continues to be safe and as minimally impacted as possible.”
For Ascension’s full statement on the network interruption, click here.
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