McLaren Health Care has announced that, despite the disruptions caused by the recent cyberattack, its hospitals and clinics continue to operate and deliver crucial health services to their communities. The organization is actively working to restore its IT systems following the cyberattack, aiming to resume full functionality soon.
“We remain truly grateful for the tireless effort and dedication displayed by our team members under these demanding circumstances, and we sincerely regret any impact this cyber attack may have had on our patients,” reads the McLaren Health notice.
McLaren Health Cyberattack Details and Response Efforts
McLaren Health Care has confirmed that the cyberattack was a ransomware incident, impacting IT infrastructure across its network of 13 hospitals, Karmanos cancer centers, surgery centers, and clinics. The cyberattack on McLaren Health has resulted in limited access to certain McLaren systems, creating longer-than-usual wait times for patients and requiring them to bring necessary information to their appointments.
Cyber forensic investigations are ongoing, and the incident has been contained, but full restoration of services will take time. “If the health system identifies that any Protected Health Information (PHI) or personal information was compromised, it will contact the affected individuals directly pursuant to state and federal reporting guidelines,” stated McLaren officials.
Operations and Patient Care During the Cyberattack
All clinical services remain operational, and patients and residents are encouraged to continue using services as normal. The organization has implemented measures to ensure that emergency departments are open and accepting patients and that surgeries are proceeding as planned. Any postponed elective surgeries are in the process of being rescheduled.
Additionally, all radiation therapy units at Karmanos Cancer Institute facilities are operational, and McLaren’s two Comprehensive Stroke Centers, located at McLaren Flint and McLaren Macomb, remain fully functional. Primary and specialty care offices are also operational, and patients are advised to show up for their scheduled appointments unless contacted otherwise by a team member.
Patients in need of outpatient imaging studies can temporarily schedule their appointments through their local McLaren imaging departments.
Phil Incarnati, President and CEO of McLaren Health Care, expressed his gratitude to all employees for their dedication and hard work during this challenging period. He praised the resilience and kindness displayed by McLaren teams across the state, from doctors and nurses to dietary professionals, administrative assistants, patient advocates, and all other team members who have been on the front lines ensuring the continued delivery of high-quality care.
“Our employees are absolutely inspiring. Under extremely trying circumstances, McLaren teams on the frontlines and those in support roles across the state have answered the call. From doctors and nurses to dietary professionals, administrative assistants, patient advocates and all team members in between, our patients, their families, and our communities will be forever grateful for your resilience and kindness,” said Incarnati.
He also urged patients and visitors to McLaren facilities to remain patient as the organization navigates this challenging situation. “Our clinical and support teams are some of the best out there, but they are working in a very challenging environment while we recover from this attack. They are the ones showing up on the frontlines every day to ensure our communities receive the care they need.”
A Call for Industry-Wide Collaboration Against Cybercrime
Incarnati emphasized that the cyberattack on McLaren Health Care highlights a broader issue facing the healthcare industry: the increasing threat of cybercrime. He noted that such attacks pose a significant risk not only to individual healthcare providers but also to national security.
“Our experience has made clear that cyberattacks against our healthcare infrastructure are an industry-wide problem, and it’s not hyperbole to call healthcare cybercrime a national security threat,” Incarnati stated.
He expressed his commitment to collaborating with fellow healthcare providers, elected officials, law enforcement, and cybersecurity experts to find effective solutions to prevent such attacks in the future and hold cybercriminals accountable.
“I’m committed to working with my fellow providers, elected officials, law enforcement, and cyber experts to find ways to hold these criminals accountable and prevent their entry into our systems,” Incarnati said, emphasizing the need for a united front against cyber threats targeting critical healthcare infrastructure.
While the full recovery from this cyberattack will take time, McLaren Health Care’s leadership and teams are committed to emerging stronger and more resilient.