Hawaii Radiologic Associates has confirmed that the company experienced an attack by cyber criminals on Oct. 20, causing an immediate shutdown of HRA’s computer and phone systems.
“We regret that this has resulted in closure of our outpatient imaging centers until this problem is resolved,” the company said Thursday in a statement sent to the Tribune-Herald. “For our patients and referring health care providers who have been affected, please accept our sincere apologies. Our company has had the privilege of caring for our local community for almost 50 years, and we deeply regret the impact of this event on our patients.”
HPA didn’t say in the statement whether patients’ personal information or records were compromised.
HRA’s administrative staff on Oct. 20 shut its systems down to isolate the attack. The group has been working to get the systems and computers back online.
“HRA has obtained assistance from excellent local and national experts to help with our recovery effort and to augment our security with state-of-the-art systems,” the statement said. “Our dedicated staff are working around the clock to restore services.”
While the shutdown has caused the cancellation of hundreds of appointments, employees have continued to work, using their time to paint walls and help improve HRA’s facilities while they await the return of regularly scheduled appointments. HRA has locations both sides of the island.
“We value our employees, and none have been furloughed or laid off,” said Executive Director Ryan Parnell. “We’re anxious to put our patients and the community at ease by resuming operations as soon as possible.”
The rescheduling of appointments will take place once the computer systems are back online and contact information becomes available. Appointments will be prioritized based on when the original appointments were scheduled.
“HRA is working on a plan of action for when we come back up to work in all the patients who had appointments canceled without disrupting those still scheduled,” said Parnell. “We will start contacting them chronologically — patients from October 21, then 22, etc.”
Those with appointments for breast cancer localization procedures have been directed to Hilo Medical Center so key imaging procedures can still take place.
See Sunday’s edition for more.
Email Grant Phillips at gphillips@hawaiitribune-herald.com