Ascension Wisconsin reporting system interruptions due to ‘cyber security event’

Ascension Wisconsin has confirmed that access to some systems have been interrupted in what they are calling a “cyber security event.”

Ascension “detected unusual activity on select technology network systems” on May 8, according to a statement sent to TMJ4 News.

TMJ4 received multiple reports from patients concerned about not receiving care due to the issue. At the same time, other patients stated they were able to keep their appointments and experience minimal impacts.

One parent, who agreed to speak with TMJ4 on the condition of anonymity, said she found out that appointments for her two children had to be rescheduled after arriving at the Ascension St. Joseph campus in Milwaukee.

“It’s very disappointing because you have so many stuff. They have to leave school early to attend appointments and then this is what we get, not to be seen,” the mother said. “I’m just thinking should I call a different hospital or just wait for their phone call because here it’s closer to me. I’m not driving for the moment. So I’m just debating what to do now.”

Leaders with Ascension say they responded immediately, started an investigation, and began trying to fix the problem. Access to some systems may be interrupted while Ascension staff work on the issue.

“Our care teams are trained for these kinds of disruptions and have initiated procedures to ensure patient care delivery continues to be safe and as minimally impacted as possible,” Ascension told TMJ4 via email.

Ascension says it is working with “the appropriate authorities” to see what information, if any, might be affected by the situation.

Here’s the full statement from Ascension Wisconsin:

On Wednesday, May 8, we detected unusual activity on select technology network systems, which we now believe is due to a cyber security event. At this time we continue to investigate the situation. We responded immediately, initiated our investigation, and activated our remediation efforts. Access to some systems have been interrupted as this process continues.

Our care teams are trained for these kinds of disruptions and have initiated procedures to ensure patient care delivery continues to be safe and as minimally impacted as possible. There has been a disruption to clinical operations, and we continue to assess the impact and duration of the disruption.

We have engaged Mandiant, a third-party expert, to assist in the investigation and remediation process, and we have notified the appropriate authorities. Together, we are working to fully investigate what information, if any, may have been affected by the situation. Should we determine that any sensitive information was affected, we will notify and support those individuals in accordance with all relevant regulatory and legal guidelines.

Out of an abundance of caution, we are recommending that business partners temporarily suspend the connection to the Ascension environment. We will inform partners when it is appropriate to reconnect to our environment.

This is an ongoing situation and we will provide updates as we learn more. For the most recent information clickhere.

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