In the wake of a cyberattack that disrupted healthcare services, Ascension St. Vincent has announced the full restoration of its electronic health records. The attack, which occurred in May, had left the healthcare provider scrambling to maintain patient care standards while relying on outdated paper records. According to Indianapolis Business Journal, Ascension St. Vincent stated that the return of electronic capabilities should lead to better efficiencies and reduced wait times for patients.

The cyberattack, part of a larger incident affecting Ascension, the U.S.'s largest Catholic health system, led to notable disruptions across multiple states, even redirecting ambulances to other facilities. As reported by WISH-TV, Steve Cooke, senior director of external communications for Ascension St. Vincent, had assured patients, "All Ascension St. Vincent hospitals, provider offices, and care sites in Indiana remain open and operational," even as recovery efforts were underway. While the restoration marks an improvement, it was noted that records collected between May 8 and the date of the announcement might be temporarily out of reach as the electronic updates are being processed.

The electronic system's return has made it possible for hospital departments, clinics, and providers to transition back to a semblance of normalcy after weeks of frustration and delays. Delays that were not only felt by patients but also by hospital staff who were forced to navigate an abrupt return to paper-centric procedures. As per WTHR, Ascension ensured the public that their commitment to the health and safety of our community remains our highest priority.

Alongside the update on the health records, Ascension has also indicated that all of its Ascension Rx retail, with home delivery and specialty pharmacy sites in Indiana, have resumed usual operations. Nevertheless, the attempt to fully integrate and update the recovered data continues, amidst ongoing investigations into the extent of the May cyberattack. "The developments shared today represent a highly encouraging milestone in our organization’s journey toward full recovery," Ascension St. Vincent conveyed in a statement provided to the Indianapolis Business Journal.