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  • 1.  Cyber-Attack Readiness

    Posted 05-13-2024 10:13

    Hello all.  Currently we have downtime forms to use in all of our ambulatory settings, but the forms are minimal and ideal for only a short period of time.  As there have been recent cyber attacks noted in hospital/ambulatory settings that have lasted days/weeks the importance of readiness with this issue has been pushed to the forefront.  We realize we are not prepared for a long term downtime if a cyber-attack was to occur and effect all areas of patient care/billing/scheduling/etc.  Has anyone implemented a plan for their system that includes all areas/departments? 

     

    Julie Rosenberg, RN, CLSS-BB

    Performance Improvement Specialist

    COACH: Coordinated Operational and Clinical Help

    Cell: 713-824-6807

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  • 2.  RE: Cyber-Attack Readiness

    Posted 05-14-2024 08:28
    Hi there - I can report first-hand from an Ascension ministry that preparing to have all access to patient information removed within a matter of minutes is catastrophic. In hindsight, what could've we done better & what advice do I have? Develop an analog workflow for each and every process that you have in place today. Tear down each daily operation and evaluate how you would do it without a computer. And then, imagine the unimaginable. How will you contact patients without a phone number?  Your portal doesnt work, how will you tell patients that no one is seeing their messages? How will providers receive written messages if they arent on site? Make referrals? Review a medication list, medical history, labs, images, etc? What kinds of appointments will you keep and what kind will you reschedule? Do you have enough people to answer the phones and hand write messages? The list goes on and on & its far more involved than having a downtime forms packets. Standing it all back up will be another process in itself. This subject could be a nursing informatics specialty in itself!