Ascension, one of the largest health systems in the United States with 140 hospitals, faced a significant cyberattack that disrupted operations. The attack reportedly took patient record systems offline, forcing medical staff to rely on paper records. This incident is a stark reminder that America’s health care system is vulnerable to cyber threats.
Hospital staff (ascension) (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
What was the immediate impact of the cyber attack?
The aftermath of the cyber attack was immediate and devastating. Paramedics had to transfer patients to other hospitals, and staff had to implement manual workarounds. Critical systems such as MyChart, telephone services, and electronic ordering of tests and medications were affected. The company has had to postpone some elective procedures and appointments and asked patients to come prepared with detailed notes about their condition.
Mother, daughter and hospital doctor (ascension) (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
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ascension reaction
Ascension’s response was swift and an investigation was launched to determine the scope of the breach. The St. Louis-based health system did not provide a timeline for service restoration, but assured us that it is working diligently to resolve the issue. Nurses and staff faced challenges such as accessing electronic medical records and using equipment such as blood glucose meters that rely on electronic identification systems and had to adapt quickly.
Emergency sign outside the hospital (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
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Cybersecurity in healthcare
Recent hospital security flaws have been likened to car owners leaving their keys in the seat with their doors unlocked. The American Hospital Association supports voluntary cybersecurity goals, but has expressed concern about enforcement measures proposed by the Biden administration. They argue that such requirements could unfairly penalize hospitals for vulnerabilities posed by third-party technology.
Image of a hospital stethoscope (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
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Painting a complete picture of healthcare trends
This cyber attack is not an isolated incident. This follows an alarming trend of increasing cyber threats to the U.S. healthcare system. More recently, Change Healthcare suffered a similar fate, with far-reaching implications across the healthcare industry. Although the Ascension hack was narrow in scope, it directly impacted systems critical to patient care.
An Ascension spokesperson provided this statement, which is posted on the nonprofit’s website. “Safe patient care remains our top priority as we respond to this cybersecurity incident. “We are actively supporting the Department as they continue to provide quality patient care.” ”
You can read the company’s full statement here.
8 proactive measures to take when facing a medical cyberattack
In the wake of the cyber attack on Ascension, please consider taking some proactive steps to protect your personal information and prepare for potential disruption to health care services.
1) Stay informed: Stay up to date with the latest news from Ascension and other trusted sources to know the status of your systems and services.
2) Personal health records: Maintain a personal health record on your device or print it, including a list of medications, allergies, past surgeries, and other relevant health information. This is invaluable when electronic medical records are temporarily inaccessible.
3) Emergency preparedness: Have a plan for medical emergencies, including knowing alternate health care providers and knowing how to contact them if your primary hospital is affected. For example, my local emergency department recently experienced hours-long wait times, but a top-notch hospital an hour away was able to see many patients within minutes.
4) Cybersecurity best practices: Practice good cybersecurity hygiene by using strong, unique passwords for your online accounts. Please consider using . password manager Generate and save complex passwords.Also, enable two-factor authentication If available.
5) Beware of phishing: Be especially wary of phishing attempts, as cyber-attacks often result in an increase in phishing emails and phone calls that attempt to exploit the situation. The best way to protect yourself from clicking on malicious links that install malware that can access your personal information is to install antivirus protection on all your devices. This can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams. Get my picks for the best antivirus protection products of 2024 for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
6) Contact your healthcare provider. If you have an appointment or procedure scheduled, please contact your healthcare provider to confirm or reschedule if necessary in case a cyberattack disrupts normal operations.
7) Patient Portal: If you use a patient portal such as MyChart, monitor your medical records and communications with your provider for updates.
8) Responding to data breaches: In the event of a data breach, be prepared to follow Ascension’s or affected healthcare provider’s instructions regarding credit monitoring and other safeguards.
By taking these eight steps, you can protect your personal health information and improve continuity of care during cyber-related disruptions.
Cart important points
The cyber attack on Ascension highlights the urgent need to strengthen cybersecurity measures in the healthcare sector. With the White House pushing for “minimum mandatory” cybersecurity standards, it’s clear that voluntary measures are no longer enough. The healthcare industry must prioritize cybersecurity to protect against such threats and ensure the safety and privacy of patient data. As patients, we need to have a backup plan and keep as much of our medical records as possible.
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