Year 2000 Computer Preparedness

Because Year 2000 has the potential to disrupt the normal operation of computer systems, Yale-New Haven Hospital is taking every precaution to ensure the safety of patient care. A Y2K project team was established in January 1998 to identify and modify all computers and related technology which will be impacted by the Year 2000 date rollover.

The team includes a full-time project manager and representatives from clinical engineering, facilities engineering, purchasing, materials management, risk management, internal audit, management information systems and human resources.

The total cost to Yale-New Haven for Y2K compliance will be about $5 million. In FY 1998, YNHH completed the inventory, analysis and planning phases for information systems, biomedical equipment, environmental systems and materials management/purchasing. Most remediation (upgrade/replacement) and compliance testing for systems and equipment in these areas was completed in FY 99 (Oct. - Sept.).

Y2K Project Fact Sheet

Project manager:
Peter O'Neill, YNHH Management Information Systems
(203) 688-3006
oneill@ynhh.org

• Yale-New Haven Hospital has 14,000 pieces of medical equipment staff checked for compliance. When Y2K errors were found in medical equipment, the error did not affect the equipment's ability to function, only the date display.
• All medical equipment was evaluated by clinical engineering and consultants. Everything from heart-lung machines to X-ray viewers was checked, with priority given to direct patient care equipment such as monitoring systems.
• All equipment was tagged with "Y2K Compliant" stickers, if it met specifications once it was repaired.
• Clinical engineering, information systems and other hospital staff as required will be in the hospital on December 31 and a switch to backup generator power will take place at midnight January 1, 2000, to prevent disruption of systems beyond Yale-New Haven's control, such as external power.
• A command center will open at 10 p.m. on Dec. 31 and remain open until 3 a.m., unless there is a need for it to remain open longer. The hospital's normal disaster plan is also in place, as it is throughout the year.
• Yale-New Haven Y2K staff are collaborating with staff from the Yale School of Medicine (ITS Med Year 2000) to ensure Y2K compliance throughout the Yale-New Haven Medical Center.
• Yale-New Haven's Y2K staff is actively involved with the Connecticut Hospital Association in working to assist other hospitals on the project.

Is your home PC Year 2000 compatible?

Want to do a simple test to see if you have a Y2K problem?
1. Shut down all the programs loaded under Windows on your personal computer.
2. For PCs with Windows 3.1

Open the Program Manager
Open Accessories Folder
Open the Clock Icon
Change date to 12-31-1999
Change time to 11:59 p.m.

For PCs with Windows 95
Double click on time on the taskbar.
Change date to 12/31/1999
Change time to 11:59 p.m.

or

Open the Control Panel
Open the Date/Time Icon
Change date to 12-31-1999
Change time to 11:59 p.m.

3. Turn off your computer for about five minutes.
4. Turn on your computer.
5. Check the date on your computer. This should be January 1, 2000.

If your computer system's clock does not show the correct date, you need a BIOS upgrade. Contact your PC manufacturer or download an upgrade from the Internet, which should be available at no cost. If the test is successful, reset the clock back to the current date and time.

Last revised: May 26, 2004 (jj)

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

All information is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.