Ransomware Attack on DCH Hospitals Prevents Admittance of New Patients

Three area hospitals are unable to admit new patients except those in immediate, life-threatening danger after a ransomware attack on their computer system.

A spokesperson for the DCH Health System posted on their website that DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, the Northport Medical Center and Fayette Medical Center are all closed to new patients except "the most critical."

Read the full statement below and watch this station and site for more updates as they come.

The three hospitals of the DCH Health System have experienced a ransomware attack. A criminal is limiting our ability to use our computer systems in exchange for an as-yet unknown payment.

Our hospitals have implemented our emergency procedures to ensure safe and efficient operations in the event technology dependent on computers is not available. That said, we feel it is in the best interest of patient safety that DCH Regional Medical Center, Northport Medical Center and Fayette Medical Center are closed to all but the most critical new patients. Our staff is caring for the patients who are currently in the hospital, and we have no plans to transfer current patients.

If you are scheduled for an outpatient procedure or test at a DCH hospital, call before you come. Local ambulances have been instructed to take patients to other hospitals if at all possible. Patients who come to our emergency departments may be transferred to another hospital when they are stabilized.

We are constantly evaluating our situation, and we will provide updates.