Tuscaloosa, Ala.-based DCH Health System continues to divert patients to nearby hospitals while it methodically restores its systems, according to an Oct. 7 post.
Emergency departments at the health system's three hospitals continue to treat patients. DCH Health System has also continued to great critical patients.
The health system announced Oct. 5 that it had paid hackers to restore access to locked systems. While the ransom amount was undisclosed, Mathew Hudnall, PhD, a cybersecurity expert estimates DCH Health System paid between $400,000 and $700,000, according to ABC3340.
There is no timeline as to when the hospitals will be running under normal operations. DCH Health System said it plans to make announcements in the coming days as the systems are restored and more patient services resume.
Additionally, DCH Health System is warning patients not to provide any personal information if they receive phony calls claiming to be employees at the health system.
"We are hearing reports that people claiming to be from DCH may be calling or emailing members in an attempt to get personal information. Please know that DCH will never call or email patients asking for their personal information," the health system said in a statement.