UVM Health Network investigating if network issue is result of a possible cyberattack

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - A major systemwide network issue is affecting the UVM Health Network. This computer problem is impacting the Network’s six hospitals in Vermont and New York, and officials are investigating all possible causes, including a malicious cyberattack.

There is no timeline for when the systems will be restored, and there is no access to the MyChart patient portal.

It mainly impacts the network’s electronic patient records, and how patient care is delivered at each facility. There have been some changes to patient appointments during the outage, officials say they are working to contact all patients who have been impacted.

In a statement to WCAX News from the UVM Health Network, officials say,

“Our staff is following well-practiced standby procedures to ensure safe patient care. We apologize to our patients who have been affected by this situation.”

At the Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone, N.Y., all patient care services are being maintained. The same can be said for the Elizabethtown Community Hospital, Porter Medical Center, and UVMHN Home Health and Hospice.

At the Central Vermont Medical Center, all patient care services are also being maintained, but patients may experience delays.

Physician practice patients at the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh, N.Y. may experience some delays, but all patient services are being maintained.

At the UVM Medical Center, some elective procedures scheduled for Thursday, 10/29, are being rescheduled. The hope is to have them on Friday, 10/30.

Sources inside the hospital tell WCAX News emergency surgeries will still take place at UVMMC.

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