Cyberattack forces UMMC to close clinics, cancel outpatient procedures
JACKSON — The University of Mississippi Medical Center said Thursday that a cybersecurity attack has taken many of its information technology systems offline, including access to its electronic medical records system, Epic.
In a public notice dated Feb. 19, UMMC said all of its clinic locations statewide were closed for the day. The notice said outpatient and ambulatory surgeries and procedures, along with imaging appointments, were canceled and will be rescheduled. The medical center apologized for the disruption and said it will provide additional updates.
UMMC said hospital services are continuing using downtime procedures. Loss of access to an electronic medical records system can complicate scheduling, prescribing and the flow of clinical information, and hospitals often rely on manual documentation and alternate communication channels while systems are restored.
The University of Mississippi Medical Center is the state’s academic medical center, providing clinical care, education and research from its Jackson campus and through clinics across Mississippi. Cyberattacks on health care organizations have in recent years disrupted operations at hospitals and prompted temporary closures or delays.
We will provide more information as it becomes available.
