Risk Management

Tip

The Millennium is upon us and with it comes the Year 2000 (Y2K) computerized problems. You must be prepared to deal with them whether your office has one physician or a hundred. Most often, we think that computers are the primary equipment that have to be Y2K compliant. Unfortunately, the problem is much broader than that. Virtually any equipment in your office that uses a dated microchip in any form will need to be checked and brought into alignment with Y2K compliance. Here are some system suggestions for you to keep in mind as you bring your office up to date on Y2K compliance.

Internal systems that will be affected by the Y2K problem include scheduling, follow-ups, electronic medical records and billing. Premises issues in your office include elevators, copy and fax machines and building security. Not only must you Y2K-safe your office, but you also need to be checking with vendors and suppliers to ensure that they are working on compliance as well. You may want to consider appointing a person or even a committee to systematically check each area for Y2K compliance.

Here is a partial equipment check list that the FDA has reported as having Y2K problems. If you have any of this equipment in your office, you need to contact the manufacturer immediately and get the equipment certified that it will be able to function properly in the Year 2000.

• X-ray equipment

• Laboratory equipment

• EKGs

• Lasers

• Computerized medical record systems

• Cardiac monitors

• Defibrillators

• Stress test systems

• Apnea monitors

• Claims processing systems

• Ultrasound machines

You will also need to check software programs that are used in your office. There is a great deal of support for Y2K issues on the internet. Software manufacturers have websites that can be used as a resource for bringing your software into Y2K compliance. Two other helpful websites are: www.pc.mag.com\Y2K and www.microsoft.com.

A great deal of risk management is preventing problems before they occur. If we all start working now on the Y2K problems, hopefully by the time it actually arrives, the problems will be averted.

Phone: 503-371-8228 or 1-800-243-3503
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