A major US health care system, Ascension, has been targeted by a cyberattack, leading to the diversion of ambulances from several of its hospitals. Ascension, a nonprofit network based in St. Louis with 140 hospitals across 19 states, disclosed that the cyberattack has disrupted access to electronic health records, phone systems, and various systems used for ordering tests, procedures, and medications.
As a response to the cyberattack, Ascension has implemented downtime procedures, resorting to backup processes such as paper records to ensure patient care continuity. The health care network has engaged the services of the cybersecurity firm Mandiant to address the incident and has informed federal authorities about the breach.
