Area hospitals affected by a recent ransomware attack are aiming to have their patient charting system fully restored by mid-December.
Bluewater Health, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Erie Shores HealthCare, Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, and Windsor Regional Hospital were affected after a shared service provider suffered a cyberattack in late October.
While each hospital was impacted differently, Bluewater Health was the only institution where patient health records were compromised. The investigation is ongoing and it may take several months to determine whose data may have been stolen.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the hospitals said the network for clinical and non-clinical systems is being rebuilt.
"While it will still take some time before all affected critical systems are completely online, our teams are working around the clock to ensure the process is progressing as quickly and safely as possible," read the statement. "We are also working with leads at each hospital for a seamless return to service."
Although patient delays are expected to be reduced once digital charting is restored, the hospitals said there still may be diagnostic or treatment delays.
"Clinical applications will be coming back online one by one or in clusters as we approach mid-December," read the media release.
In the meantime, physicians may not currently have access to past patient records or medical history, patients’ current medication lists, reports from other clinicians involved in care, and pre-admission workups.
While systems are slower than normal, it may also take longer to access labs and diagnostic imaging.
Some physicians may opt to cancel procedures if important information is not available, but appointments will be rescheduled as quickly as possible.
"We want to emphasize to our patients that our physicians and frontline staff are under greater than normal stress due to these unusual circumstances, and they are responding with incredible resolve," said the hospital statement. "We ask the public for their understanding during this time. This has been a challenging situation for employees, professional staff, patients and families, and we thank our community and system partners for their ongoing patience and support."
As previously reported, a hotline has been set up for those with inquiries.