SOMC hit by cyber-attack, says operations not affected

UPDATE 11/11/21 @ 5:45 p.m.

PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) - Southern Ohio Medical Center says its computer software has been hit by a targeted cyber-attack.

According hospital officials, the cyber-attack happened Thursday morning.

Officials say a third party gained access to computer servers.

The hospital says it is currently working with federal law enforcement officers and internet security firms to investigate the incident.

One woman tells WSAZ she had a heart surgery consultation scheduled for Thursday that was postponed. She says it’s disappointing because she’d been looking forward to getting it over with.

Estel Gray is retired from SOMC. He worked there 30 years in respiratory care. He says it’s deeply troubling a cyber attack was pulled off.

“It’s scary stuff,” he said. “It seems like anything they want to do, they can do anymore.”

According to officials, the hospital is working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

It is not affecting inpatient care, however. The hospital says it is currently diverting ambulances to other hospitals and may have to reschedule some procedures. The hospital says patients will be contacted directly to let them know.

“Patient care and safety remain our top priority as we work to resolve this situation as quickly as possible,” SOMC officials said in a statement.

The hospital says it will continue to provide more information as it becomes available.

A spokesperson with Mountain Health Network released the following statement:

“We empathize with SOMC and the challenge they are facing, especially at a time when all hospitals are so full. Every emergency room has the obligation to assess and stabilize patients brought to them by ambulances.”

Keep checking WSAZ.com and the WSAZ App for the latest information.

PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WSAZ) - According to a Facebook post by Southern Ohio Medical Center, the health network is experiencing an unplanned downtime of clinical systems.

SOMC has reassured that this does not directly impact their ability to care for current inpatients but some procedures may be rescheduled. There is no word on when this issue will be resolved or how this happened.

This a developing story and are working to learn more.

Keep checking the WSAZ app for the latest information.