Hospitals proceeding with surgeries despite computer hack


              FILE - In this Feb. 27, 2013, file photo, hands type on a computer keyboard in Los Angeles. Hackers have gained access to OneLogin, an online password manager that offers a single sign-on to multiple websites and services. The breach raises questions about the security of other accounts kept with OneLogin. According to published reports, OneLogin informed customers that the breach included the ability to access encrypted data; passwords are typically stored that way. OneLogin didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
FILE - In this Feb. 27, 2013, file photo, hands type on a computer keyboard in Los Angeles. Hackers have gained access to OneLogin, an online password manager that offers a single sign-on to multiple websites and services. The breach raises questions about the security of other accounts kept with OneLogin. According to published reports, OneLogin informed customers that the breach included the ability to access encrypted data; passwords are typically stored that way. OneLogin didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -- An Alabama hospital system says it's going ahead with planned surgeries despite a computer hack that is affecting digital systems.

DCH Health Systems posted a note Tuesday night saying elective procedures and surgical cases scheduled for Wednesday will go ahead as planned.

A statement says backup procedures will allow workers to provide safe and effective care.

The company has temporarily stopped accepting new patients at its hospitals in Tuscaloosa, Northport and Fayette because of a ransomware attack that began affecting computers early Tuesday. New patients are being sent to Birmingham hospitals or elsewhere.

A spokesman says the attack is making it impossible for some computer programs to communicate with each other, but no patient data is believed to be lost.

The three hospitals have about 850 beds total.

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