Updated Jan. 17 at 11 a.m.
Health Sciences North confirms the computer virus that impacted hospital operations starting Wednesday morning is not ransomware.
Other large organizations in Greater Sudbury have previously been impacted by ransomware, including Cambrian College in 2017.
Ransomware is a type of malicious software that threatens to publish the victim's data or perpetually block access unless a ransom is paid.
The hospital made this confirmation this morning after Sudbury.com asked spokesperson Jason Turnbull a number of questions.
We asked if this was a deliberate attack or an accidental infection, if a source has been identified, whether police are involved and how long Health Sciences North can go on this way before patients are shipped to other hospitals for care.
Turnbull was able to address some of our questions.
He said the hospital's IT team is “working diligently to identify a source and we are hoping to have an update on that later today.”
Turnbull also said sending patients to other hospitals during the disruption “has not been discussed,” and the hospital is not “shipping patients to other locations.”
As previously mentioned, the disruption may cause delays with some HSN programs and longer wait times in the emergency department.
Certain elective procedures and surgeries in the next 24 to 48 hours may be rescheduled.
In addition, chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatments have been cancelled today and tomorrow at the North East Cancer Centre and satellite clinics.
Patients are in the process of being rescheduled for treatment later this week and into the weekend. Those patients impacted will be notified.
All appointments at the following clinics may be affected on Thursday:
- Northeast Joint Assessment Centre
- Ambulatory Care Unit
- Heart Failure Clinic
- Medical Day Care
- Breast Screening and Assessment Service
Patients are asked to present to HSN if they have scheduled appointments on Thursday, understanding that these appointments may be impacted.
Patients with questions or concerns may contact patient relations at 705-523-7100 ext. 3737.
“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” Turnbull said.
“To ease congestion in our Emergency Department during this time, the public is reminded there are alternative care options available in the community including walk-in clinics and Telemedicine.”
Turnbull said the hospital expects to issue another update this afternoon.
Original story:
The computer virus that is impacting operations at Health Sciences North this week has forced the cancellation of numerous clinics and treatments, delays in various departments and the rescheduling of some procedures.
Calling the issue “technical difficulties,” HSN began noticing problems with its computer system at 8 a.m. on Jan. 15. In the latest release, the hospital said its IT department confirmed a virus is the cause of the issue, and staff is working with several “IT experts, including McAfee” to try to fix the problem.
“We do not know yet how our IT systems came to be infected with this virus,” the hospital said in its latest news release.
While patient care is not impacted, HSN said, several internal software systems are.
Wait times in the emergency department will be longer, while certain elective procedures and surgeries in the next 24 to 48 hours could be rescheduled, the hospital said. In addition, chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatments have been cancelled at the North East Cancer Centre and its satellite clinics.
“Patients are in the process of being rescheduled for treatment later this week and into the weekend,” HSN said. “Those patients impacted will be notified.
“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. To ease congestion in our Emergency Department during this time, the public is reminded there are alternative care options available in the community including walk-in clinics and telemedicine.”
All appointments at the following clinics may be affected today due to the virus:
- Northeast Joint Assessment Centre
- Ambulatory Care Unit
- Heart Failure Clinic
- Medical Day Care
- Breast Screening and Assessment Service
If you have a scheduled appointment today, HSN asks that you still head to the hospital, but understand that these appointments may be impacted. If you have questions or concerns, contact Patient Relations at 705-523-7100 ext. 3737 for more information.
