UMMC confirms cyberattack, closing clinics and canceling surgeries

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Officials are confirming many IT systems, including the electronic medical records system, at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, are down Thursday, following a cyberattack.

In a statement, officials said outpatient and ambulatory surgeries and procedures, as well as imaging appointments, have been canceled.

Meanwhile, all UMMC clinics across the state are closed.

Officials are unable to access the hospital’s electronic medical records.

Services are continuing for patients currently there using “downtime procedures.”

The hospital employs more than 10,000 people and serves more than 70,000 patients annually. It operates 35 clinics across the state.

In a press conference on Thursday, UMMC officials said that they have triggered their emergency operations plans.

The FBI is now involved in the investigation, along with the US Homeland Security and the US Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency.

UMMC also stated that the attackers “have communicated to us,” with the hospital working with the authorities on the steps.

According to hospital officials, as a precaution, all of the IT systems have been taken down.

“UMMC clinics statewide will again be closed tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 20, and elective procedures are cancelled. Appointments will be rescheduled. One exception is the dialysis clinic at the Jackson Medical Mall, which is operational and open for scheduled appointments,” UMMC officials said in a second statement.

Officials added that this is expected to be a multi-day event.

UMMC hospitals and Emergency Departments will remain open unless otherwise communicated, and in-person classes will continue as scheduled while online classes are cancelled Feb. 20.

“We are sorry for this disruption, and we are working diligently to restore our systems and services as soon as possible,” UMMC officials said.

WLBT will provide more details when they are available.