RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. – A major cybersecurity breach has affected Ascension St. Thomas Rutherford and several other locations, impacting doctors' ability to respond to emergencies and resulting in the death of some patients. The medical group revealed that the reservation has been changed. The breach was detected on May 8th, and Ascension classified it as a cybersecurity incident and began intensive efforts to investigate, contain, and restore the system. However, medical organizations acknowledge that the investigation and remediation process will take time and there is no clear timeline for completion.
Ensuring the safety and well-being of patients remains Ascension's top priority amid this cybersecurity incident, officials said. Efforts are underway to support provinces in providing safe patient care through established downtime protocols and procedures. A spokesperson for Ascension said: “Patients should bring notes about their symptoms, a list of their current medications, and their prescription number or prescription bottle to their appointment so that their care team can contact the pharmacy regarding their medication needs. There is a need to do so.”
As a result of this breach, critical systems such as electronic medical records, MyChart, telephone systems, and various ordering systems for tests and medications are currently unavailable. While protocols are in place to address these disruptions and maintain patient safety, non-urgent elective procedures, tests, and appointments have been temporarily suspended as a precaution. Ascension's team is actively working with affected patients to reschedule appointments and procedures, and we acknowledge the inconvenience and regret any disruption to patient care. It has been stated.
In response to downtime procedures, some hospitals have diverted emergency medical services to ensure immediate triage for emergency cases. Patients experiencing a medical emergency should call 911 for immediate assistance. Ascension would like to thank our dedicated care teams and community for their support and patience during this difficult time and emphasizes our continued efforts to quickly and safely restore our systems. Regular updates will be provided on the Ascension website to keep patients, staff, and stakeholders informed throughout the incident.
Officials said: “The investigation into the scope of the incident is ongoing and we continue to work with internal and external experts and law enforcement. We will provide consistent updates as the situation evolves. Confidential Information. “If we determine that we have been affected,” he said. , we will inform and support those individuals in accordance with all relevant regulatory and legal guidelines. ”
- If you have questions about this incident, you can find more information here.
