A cyberattack on a big US health system diverts ambulances and takes records offline

TOPEKA, Kan. — A cyberattack on the Ascension health system across the U.S. diverted ambulances, caused patients to miss medical visits and blocked online access to their records.

The statement said the Ascension system expected to use “downtime” procedures “for some time” and advised patients to bring notes on their symptoms and a list of prescription numbers or prescription bottles with them to appointments. Ascension’s statement, issued Thursday, did not say whether it was the victim of a ransomware attack or whether it paid a ransom, and the system did not immediately respond Friday to an email seeking updates.

Change Healthcare, owned by UnitedHealth Group Inc., provides technology used by doctor offices and other care providers to submit and process billions of insurance claims a year. The attack delayed insurance reimbursements and heaped stress on doctor’s offices around the country.

Health Health Latest News, Health Health Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Ascension health experiences cybersecurity problem, detects 'unusual activity' in network systemsAscension said Wednesday it's the latest healthcare system to have a cybersecurity problem.
Source: ABC7Chicago - 🏆 284. / 63 Read more »

Cyberattack disrupts operations at major US health care networkA cyberattack has disrupted “clinical operations” at major health care nonprofit Ascension, forcing it to take steps to minimize any impact to patient care, an Ascension spokesperson told CNN on Wednesday.
Source: cnnbrk - 🏆 393. / 55 Read more »

Ascension Attack Intensifies Scrutiny Of Healthcare Cyber DefensesI am Editor-in-Chief of TechSpective. I have a passion for technology and gadgets and a desire to help others understand how technology can affect or improve their lives.
Source: ForbesTech - 🏆 318. / 59 Read more »