Nearly a week after a cyberattack crippled the Ascension hospital system, patients and staff in Wisconsin grapple with ongoing disruptions and unanswered questions.

Patients Left in Limbo

Crystal Love, an Ascension patient, recounts her frustrating ordeal after the cyberattack. Suffering from health issues, including a burst cyst and kidney complications, Love is unable to access necessary follow-up care due to the disruption in services.

Chaos and Concerns

The aftermath of the cyberattack has left patients and staff struggling to navigate the chaos. Complaints range from difficulties accessing medical records to delays in critical treatments such as chemotherapy and post-surgery pain medication.

Impacts on Patient Care

Emergency room operations have been significantly affected, with delays in obtaining crucial lab results and imaging reports posing risks to patient safety. The reliance on paper records adds further challenges, particularly in outpatient care and radiology, where the absence of previous exams for comparison hampers diagnostic accuracy.

Calls for Patience Amidst Frustration

As frustrations mount, Connie Smith, president of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses, highlights the resilience of healthcare workers who continue to provide care under challenging circumstances. Despite efforts to mitigate the impact, the inability to access electronic records hinders the delivery of optimal care.

Seeking Solutions

In response to concerns about data security, Ascension pledges to notify individuals if their information has been compromised. Meanwhile, patients are advised to arrive early for appointments to accommodate potential delays.

Conclusion: Navigating Uncertainty

The fallout from the cyberattack on Ascension hospitals underscores the vulnerabilities of healthcare systems to malicious cyber threats. As patients and staff navigate the challenges of disrupted services, the need for robust cybersecurity measures and contingency plans becomes increasingly apparent. Download The Local News App to stay updated on developments in this evolving situation.

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