Health Sciences North is currently experiencing technical difficulties which are impacting their IT systems.
Communications specialist, Jason Turnball, says the problems began yesterday morning and the IT team has identified a computer virus as the cause of these problems.
He says the virus has impacted several internal software systems, but the quality of patient care is not impacted.
This disruption may cause delays with some programs, such as longer wait times in the Emergency Department.
Certain elective procedures and surgeries in the next 24 – 48 hours may be rescheduled.
And, he adds, in addition, chemotherapy and radiation therapy treatments are cancelled at the North East Cancer Centre and satellite clinics.
Patients who are impacted have been notified and reschedule.
All appointments at the following clinics may be affected on Thursday due to the current IT issues facing HSN:
Northeast Joint Assessment Centre
Ambulatory Care Unit
Heart Failure Clinic
Medical Day Care
Breast Screening and Assessment Service
Patients are asked to present to HSN if they have scheduled appointments on Thursday, understanding that these appointments may be impacted. Patients with questions or concerns may contact Patient Relations at 705 523 7100 ext. 3737.
Patients who come to the ED are prioritized based on their medical needs, and are not seen on a first come, first served basis. This will mean longer wait times for patients with non-urgent conditions.
While all emergency and urgent health care issues should be referred to HSN’s Emergency Department, there are other care options available to patients with non-urgent needs.
Those options include walk-in clinics and local pharmacies. Telehealth Ontario can also be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1-866-797-0000.
To see a list of available local walk in clinics in Sudbury, please visit: https://medimap.ca/Location/Sudbury
To see a list of available walk in clinics throughout the North East please visit: https://www.northeasthealthline.ca/listServices.aspx?id=10072
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