Kettering Health Internet Outage Disrupts Stroke Care Across Ohio Hospitals

On September 23, Kettering Health in Ohio experienced an internal IT-related internet outage, which disrupted stroke care services across multiple hospitals for a few hours. Although phone systems remained operational, critical applications like the patient portal MyChart were inaccessible, prompting the health system to enact standard downtime protocols and divert stroke patients to ensure safety. This incident underscores the vital importance of reliable IT infrastructure in healthcare, as well as the necessity for effective contingency plans to maintain patient care continuity during technological disruptions. The quick resolution of the issue also alleviated concerns about potential cyber threats, emphasizing the need for clear communication in crisis situations.

Opens on Becker's Hospital Review