Ardent Health Services Hit by Ransomware Attack, Potentially Affecting Oklahoma Hospitals

Ardent Health Services has become a victim of a ransomware attack, potentially affecting Oklahoma hospitals (PHOTO: Ardent Health Services).

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Ardent Health Services (Ardent) has become a victim of a ransomware attack, potentially affecting Oklahoma hospitals.

Monday, Ardent became aware of an information technology cybersecurity incident on the morning of November 23, and it has been determined to be a ransomware attack.

The Ardent technology team has been working to understand the event, safeguard data, and regain functionality.

As a result, Ardent has taken its network offline, suspending all user access to its information technology applications, including corporate servers, Epic software, the internet, and clinical programs.

Ardent has said that it has reported this event to law enforcement and retained third-party forensic and threat intelligence advisors.

Ardent has also implemented additional information technology security protocols and is working to restore its information technology operations and capabilities.

As of now, Ardent cannot confirm the extent of any patient health or financial data that has been compromised.

Ardent has said that patient care is continuing to be delivered safely in its hospitals, emergency rooms, and clinics.

However, Ardent facilities are rescheduling some non-emergent, elective procedures and have diverted some emergency room patients to other area hospitals until systems are back online.

Ardent has also reported that it is still determining the full impact of this event and that it is too soon to know how long it will take or what data is potentially involved.

Ardent covers a number of Oklahoma hospitals, including:

• Bailey Medical Center in Owasso
• Hillcrest Hospital in Claremore
• Hillcrest Hospital in Cushing
• Hillcrest Hospital in Henryetta
• Hillcrest Hospital in Pryor
• Hillcrest Hospital South in Tulsa
• Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa
• The Oklahoma Heart Institute in Tulsa
• The Tulsa Spine and Specialty Hospital
• Utica Park Clinic in Tulsa