Ascension Restores EHR System After Ransomware Incident
Ascension, a US non-profit health system, has successfully restored its electronic health record (EHR) system across all sites after falling victim to a ransomware attack in May 2024.
Following the cyber incident, Ascension’s EHR and systems for ordering tests and medications were temporarily disabled. However, in a recent update, the organization stated that clinical workflows are now back to normal.
Patients can expect improved efficiency in appointment scheduling and prescription fulfillment as operations return to their pre-attack state. Investigation and remediation efforts are still ongoing, but Ascension is making significant progress towards full recovery.
The cyber criminals responsible for the attack gained access through a malicious file downloaded by a staff member, although Ascension has not found evidence of stolen information from its EHR systems. However, some patient data from internal file servers may have been compromised.
This incident adds to the growing list of cyber attacks on healthcare organizations, with recent disruptions at other providers like Synnovis and NHS Dumfries and Galloway. Cyber security remains a critical priority for safeguarding patient information.
