WASHINGTON — The computer systems at a major hospital chain are closer to getting back online nearly 48 hours after hackers crippled its network.
In a statement Wednesday morning, MedStar says its three main clinical information systems supporting patient care are moving to full restoration. Other systems are getting improved functionality as well. Additionally, clinicians are now able to review medical records and submit orders through electronic health records.
On Monday, MedStar Health Inc. was targeted by hackers and the attack forced records systems offline, preventing patients from booking appointments and staff from accessing email, records and phone numbers.
No patient or associate information was compromised during the hack, MedStar said in the statement.
The systems that enable patients to make medical appointments are moving toward full restoration, but MedStar encourages patients to call and confirm or make appointments. MedStar says it is giving restoration priority to those systems directly related to patient care.
MedStar’s hack was the latest against U.S. medical providers, coming weeks after a California hospital paid ransom to free its infected systems using the bitcoin currency.
American Hospital Association President and CEO Rick Pollack says hospitals are using previous experiences to prepare for future hacks.
“Hospitals are working very hard and are particularly vigilant about protecting their patients and data. Hospital leaders are using the lessons learned in previous attacks and are applying best cyber security practices shared by the AHA in an effort to anticipate and respond to existing and emerging threats,” he said.
MedStar operates 10 hospitals in Maryland and D.C., including the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, along with other facilities. It employs 30,000 staff and has 6,000 affiliated physicians.
The Associated Press and WTOP’s Kate Ryan contributed to this report.
