Hospital Chaos: Ransomware Attack Sends Ascension Health System Back to the Paper Age
A recent ransomware attack has Ascension hospital staff scrambling with handwritten notes and in-person test orders, throwing them back to a pre-digital age. With 140 hospitals in 19 states, the health system faces chaotic workflows and delays, making it feel like “we went back 20 years,” says one nurse.
Hot Take:
When your local hospital turns into a scene from a 90s medical drama, you know it’s time to reboot, literally. Turns out ransomware attacks can make even the most cutting-edge healthcare systems feel like they’ve time-traveled back to the Stone Age. Who knew that the latest medical crisis would involve penmanship?
Key Points:
- Ascension, one of the largest U.S. health systems, hit by a ransomware attack.
- Staff are resorting to manual, paper-based processes due to compromised electronic systems.
- Medication orders, lab results, and patient communications are delayed.
- Emergency patients are being redirected to other hospitals; some appointments postponed.
- Cybersecurity experts, FBI, and CISA are investigating the attack.
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