ing in ahospital--where lives, not inventory, are at stake.Code Blue 2000 is the term used to describe the possible breakdown of theworlds hospital software and related medical devices. Most hospital organizations haveprepared themselves for any problems that might occur with their software and medicalequipment. It is the organizations that ignore the potential problem that will most likelyloose valuable patient information, and in extreme cases, have their ability to furnishadequate health care reduced.Major Hospital in Shelbyville, Indiana, has a team of computer scientists currentlytesting the hospitals computer systems software for Y2K compatibility. First, mocksystems are tested to determine what will actually happen when the year changes. Then,obsolete software and equipment is replaced with Y2K compliant equipment. MajorHospital has spent over a half-million dollars on research of the Y2K problem. Thisresearch is extremely costly to an organization, but the alternative--ignoring theproblem--could be catastrophic. This report will cover the numerous ways the Y2K problem could affect hospitals.The first and most important area that will be reviewed is the manner in which the Y2Kproblem could affect patients. The Y2K problem could adversely affect the biomedicaldevices some patients rely on for life-sustaining purposes. Then, the potential problemson the clerical side of hospital administration will be explored; focusing on patientsmedical records and accounts. Finally, the possible adverse effects on utilities such aselectricity, gas, and water will be discussed. A hospital is a place that a person should feelsafe and secure. This report will describe the steps being taken by hospitals to ensure thattheir patients peace of mind and sense of security is unaltered.The Y2K problem is a concern for hospitals worldwide for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the most pressing concern are the biomedical devices, which contain compu...
