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Kettering Health patients speak out on aftermath of cyberattack
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — Across the Miami Valley, patients with Kettering Health say they are feeling the impact of the May cyberattack.
While Kettering Health leaders say the technical issues are resolved, many people say things are far from normal at their local offices and hospitals.
Where does Kettering Health stand nearly two weeks after cyberattack?
2 NEWS spoke with several Kettering Health patients, who say that some local facilities in the health network still do not have working phones and are relying on paper forms — causing staff to face additional obstacles as they work to take care of their patients.
'I just, I just say thank you to all of them because they're amazing people,' said Anita Sackenheim, Kettering Health patient.
Sackenheim says Kettering Health employees are working even harder than usual as they deal with the after effects of the May 20 cyberattack.
The loss of access to several major online systems following the attack has resulted in changes at local offices and hospitals until a full recovery can be made.
Patients say they can see how much more work its made for hospital staff as they continue to provide care.
'They would run it to the lab, they would run to the ER to get what they needed, then they would run to all the different places where, usually, they would do it through the computer,' said Erin Hoffman, Kettering Health patient.
Several patients tell 2 NEWS that facilities are being forced to use paper forms, causing longer wait times. Without computer access, staff must fill out lengthy forms by hand, which can be more time-consuming.
'I actually felt sorry for the staff, you know, because I knew that it was much more work for them and it was something that they were not used to doing,' said Sackenheim.
Many patients say they are also struggling to get their prescription medication filled, since oftentimes patients request refills through MyChart or by phone — all systems that were affected by the cyberattack shutdown. '
Hacker group allegedly behind Kettering Health leak, data posted to deep web
Some patients tell 2 NEWS that they have had to go to their doctor's office in person to get a written prescription and then take that to the pharmacy, since the pharmacies themselves cannot get into contact with hospitals and doctor's offices.
Many echo the sentiment that this is a scary situation, especially for elderly patients.
'Total lack of communication, you know, any issue is very frightening,' said Kerry Corthell, Kettering Health patient.
Corthell says those who are able to make it to their doctor's offices are met with delays and long wait times.
'There were a lot of us old folks in the office, who were just standing in a long line, waiting and waiting until somebody could talk to us,' said Corthell.
Kettering Health officials say they are still working toward getting back to normal operations, but there is no clear time frame for how long the effects of the cyberattack could linger.
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