After an almost three-week shutdown of computer systems due to a following a crippling cyberattack that the system first revealed in late August, Appalachian Regional Healthcare system is back online, officials said.

ARH said on their website that operations are "returning to normal" at ARH facilities in Kentucky and West Virginia, with computerized clinical and electronic communication systems coming back to full function.

"At this time, all ARH hospitals, home health, retail pharmacies and various clinics are back online," the system said.

The system had been working on an emergency operations plan in which all patient-care, registration, medication, imaging and laboratory services were being handled manually. Critical patients were being assessed to determine whether they should be transferred to another facility.

Computers had been shut down early on in the attack in order to prevent further spread of the virus throughout ARH's system.

"At this time, ARH presently has no reason to believe that the protected health information or any financial information of its patients or employees has been accessed," the system said.

The cyberattack is under investigation by federal authorities. ARH said they have been asked not to discuss specifics surrounding the cyberattack. 

Helpful advice on planning your purchase of IDS and IPS tools:

• How to know if your intrusion detection and prevention solution meets HIPAA compliance rules
• 3 key factors to plan your budget for an intrusion protection system 
• What to watch: IDS and IPS features to consider when comparing different vendors products 

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