In midDecember the hospital was successful with electronically entering current patients information, treatment plans, and orders. Patient health records have also been added electronically over the past few weeks
More positive news from Windsor Regional Hospital as they continue to restore systems following a cyberattack at the end of October 2023.
During Thursday's Board of Directors meeting, an update was given on where restoration efforts at the hospital currently are, with many successes taking place over the last few weeks.
As you've heard on AM800 News, a cyberattack on October 23 impacted services at Windsor Regional Hospital, Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Erie Shores Healthcare in Leamington, Bluewater Health in Sarnia, and Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.
In mid-December the hospital was successful with electronically entering current patient's information, treatment plans, and orders. Patient health records have also been added electronically over the past few weeks.
The system used for diagnostic imaging for CT's and MRI's, called PACS [picture archiving and communication system] is also now up and running electronically, and can now store the imaging in the system. Now that this system is running, the backlog for Priority 3 Semi-Urgent patients will begin to be cleared.
Karen Riddell, Chief Nursing Executive at Windsor Regional Hospital, says a lot of work has been done the last few weeks.
"Very happy to advise that our PAC system is up and running, and you'll recall that this system is where we electronically store images and reports for diagnostic imaging studies, whether it's CT's, X-ray's, ultrasounds, etc."
She says Priority 3 [P3] Semi-Urgent patients were impacted, and unable to get diagnostic imaging done since the cyberattack.
"And this was primarily due to the PACS downtime, but now that PACS is up and running we'll be able to ramp up as early as next week with our P3's, and expect that we'll be able to get through our backlog of P3's within approximately 10 weeks."
David Musyj, President and CEO of Windsor Regional Hospital, says Priority 1 Emergent and Priority 2 Urgent exams have been running the entire time.
"Our CT machines are running 24 hours, MRI's are running 18 to 20 hours a day, so we're maxed out. The positive thing is we've brought on a third MRI this year, which is huge, it was awarded to us and we were able to get it up pretty quick."
Musyj says now that PACS is back up and running, if the system continues to show stability, the hospital is hoping to lift the current 'Code Grey', and the next couple of weeks will be key.
Within the next few weeks the hospital will also be working to get other systems back up electronically, such as automated medicine dispensing cabinets, nutrition software allowing individualized meal ordering options, as well as some labs which are still running manually.