Check on these key areas to gauge Y2K readiness
Check on these key areas to gauge Y2K readiness
Don’t overlook nonmedical equipment
If you ignore the Y2K problem, you do so at your own risk, warns C. Martin Harris, MD, chief information officer at the Cleveland (OH) Clinic.
Following are key areas that Harris and Tim Thompson, director of the Cleveland Clinic’s Information Technology Division, say providers must focus on:
• Medical equipment. Many devices used in patient care perform time and date calculations as part of their functions, making them vulnerable to Y2K disruptions.
• Facilities. Nonmedical devices can be bitten by the year 2000 bug, including security systems, fax machines, telephone systems, elevators, and heating and cooling systems.
• Software and computer systems. "This is a very sensitive area, especially when it comes to computerized scheduling, billing, and record systems," says Harris. He adds that Jan. 1, 2000, is not the only date that needs testing. He recommends these other dates also be checked for calendar-related glitches: Dec. 31, 1999; Feb. 29, 2000; March 1, 2000; Dec. 31, 2000; Feb. 29, 2004; and March 1, 2004.
• External business partners. Determine the key outside organizations you work with and what they are doing to address the Y2K situation. Look at how you can coordinate your activities with them.
Dennis Niebergal, president of ChartCare, a Newark, DE, company that develops and supports computer-based patient record software for physician groups, says providers need to develop a list of what he calls critical "life boat" issues that must be addressed to keep operations afloat in the face of a potential Y2K meltdown.
Meredith H. Alexander, a technology expert associated with the Medical Group Management Association in Englewood, CO, recommends several steps be taken to help ensure vendors are held responsible for the supplies and services they provide:
— Identify all vendors that supply services such as lab equipment, drug services, medical equipment, and electricity.
— Get a signed statement that says the vendor’s product is Y2K-compliant.
— Develop a replacement plan. After noncompliant equipment or software is identified, replace or upgrade it.
— Test and retest hardware, software, and applications. Just because one machine is compliant, that doesn’t mean all other similar devices are OK.
— Develop a contingency plan. In a worst-case situation, be prepared to replace computers with paper and outsource your patient scheduling and billing functions.
"The Y2K issue is not something to be taken lightly or ignored," says Thompson. Jan. 1, 2000, is coming, and "it cannot be put off and considered at a later date."
Subscribe Now for Access
You have reached your article limit for the month. We hope you found our articles both enjoyable and insightful. For information on new subscriptions, product trials, alternative billing arrangements or group and site discounts please call 800-688-2421. We look forward to having you as a long-term member of the Relias Media community.