Cleveland-based University Hospitals has no estimated timeline for restoring its IT systems, nearly two weeks after detecting unusual activity on its servers Oct. 22.
In a Nov. 2 update on its website, the health system said it is working to restore systems safely but “we do not currently have an estimated timeline for completion.” UH said its hospitals, emergency departments and physician offices remain open and the vast majority of appointments and procedures have proceeded as scheduled.
UH disconnected its systems from the internet after detecting the activity. Its MyChart patient portal remains offline, and patients can’t view lab results through the portal. Patients tested through Quest Diagnostics can still access results on Quest’s website.
Most applications on UH’s servers still work but can’t send or receive information outside the system. As a result, UH, a cashless facility, can’t take payments at the time of service. Video visits have shifted to phone, Zoom or in-person appointments, and providers can print, fax or call in prescriptions when e-prescribing is unavailable.
UH’s phone system was not affected, though the health system reported long hold times because of high call volume. It also warned patients about scam calls and phishing messages, noting it will not call or text asking for banking information.
The health system has not disclosed the cause of the incident or whether patient information was compromised.
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