The cyberattack on Ascension, a major health care nonprofit, has significantly disrupted its clinical operations. The attack, detected due to unusual activity on some of Ascension’s computer systems, led the organization to recommend that its healthcare clients temporarily cut off network connections to mitigate any impact. The incident has prompted an ongoing investigation and notification to appropriate authorities, with steps being taken to ensure the continued safe delivery of patient care.

The attack primarily affected Ascension’s legacy Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system at St. Vincent’s facilities, compromising patient and treatment data related to visits prior to October 2021. Although there has been no evidence of data removal or misuse, the affected information includes sensitive data such as demographic details, insurance information, Social Security numbers, and clinical information. Affected patients are being provided with credit monitoring and identity theft detection services as a precaution .

This cyberattack on Ascension is part of a broader trend of ransomware attacks targeting health care providers in the U.S., reflecting a significant vulnerability in the sector to cyber threats. These attacks disrupt patient care and pose substantial financial implications for health providers, emphasizing the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures .

Sources:

1. SC Media: Coverage on Ascension St. Vincent’s cyberattack revealing the breach of legacy EMR systems and the impact on patient data.
2. Becker’s Hospital Review: Insight into the broader implications of cyberattacks on healthcare systems and how they manage and respond to these crises.

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