JPS Health Network is experiencing a network outage for the fifth day in a row. This comes after the hospital system \u201cdetected suspicious activity\u201d in its system and subsequently \u201cinitiated downtime procedures,\u201d according to an email sent from JPS\u2019s information technology department to employees.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs part of our processes to keep our network and information safe, we have initiated downtime procedures so that we can scan our environment and further assess the situation,\u201d the email read.<\/p>\n
On Monday morning, the health network posted on social media<\/a> platforms that an outage was impacting \u201cseveral JPS patient resources, including online services and phone lines.\u201d<\/p>\n A post<\/a> Tuesday morning said personnel were \u201cusing established downtime procedures\u201d and that some services may take longer than usual as staff use \u201cmanual processes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPatients whose appointments require adjustment in some areas are being contacted directly by their care team,\u201d the online statement said. \u201cOur technology teams continue working around the clock to assess our systems and support our ongoing operations.\u201d<\/p>\n A message on JPS\u2019s website said the health network is still operating under controlled network downtime as of 3 p.m. Aug. 7.<\/p>\n The health system expects the outage will continue \u201cfor the next several days\u201d as it works to restore the technology environment, a process that requires \u201ccareful, methodical work that takes time\u201d to do safely, JPS spokesperson Dawn Fernald said in a statement to the Fort Worth Report.<\/p>\n \u201cClinical leaders are continually evaluating services using established quality checks, clinical protocols and operational assessments,\u201d the statement said. \u201cSome services may be temporarily paused, adjusted or moved based on our ability to provide care safely.\u201d<\/p>\n Patients in need of assistance can contact phone lines on JPS\u2019s announcement website<\/a>.<\/p>\n McKinnon Rice is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Her position is supported by a grant from Texas Health Resources. Contact her at mckinnon.rice@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n