<The last straw is when I read a post on one of the threads questioning whether pace-makers would fail!>
Here are some excerpts from a report [Code Blue] I put together for the medical community on medical devices last yeat.
PACEMAKERS:
Many pacemakers use an embedded computer chip to collect and store information about the patient's heart. The cardiologist employs diagnostic laboratory equipment to capture and analyze this stored information. Most of this laboratory equipment is computer based and is, therefore, susceptible to the Year 2000 Problem. This means that medical decisions could possibly be based on incorrect or faulty data. There are probably no life-threatening factors involving the implanted pacemakers themselves.
PACEMAKERS & IMPLANTABLE DEFIBRILLATORS:
"Medtronic is the largest company here. Have potential problems, not in their proper working, but in the interface with the machinery that interrogates them regarding proper functioning and when they may have discharged. It is suspected that some of these devices corrupt the analyzers, thus rendering them non-interpretable or non-functioning. The pacemaker keeps working but we have no way of telling whether they are working PROPERLY." Dr. Moore
MILLENNIUM BUG MIGHT AFFECT PACEMAKERS Excerpt
Knight Tribune News Service – Florida Times Union – April 22, 1998
"It could be a huge problem for us" said Jennifer Darr, a cardiac nursing manager for the Orlando Regional Medical Center. “We couldn't program the pacemaker properly, and we couldn't look at historical data to find out exactly what has happened to the patient".
FYI - I'm not a medical device expert. I only gathered information from worldwide medical practicioners involved with testing and compiled info which was available, at that time, from manufacturers on specific medical devices. I did no editorializing whatsoever in my report. I haven't kept up with specific medical devices. But initial testing appeared to show that there is a potential, and in some cases, verified - problem. Not all devices. But, which ones ... is the BIG question.
Following does not refer to pacemakers, but gives you an idea of some of the medical professionals referenced in my report.
Bo C. Hojdefors - Excellent Contact
Principal Administration Officer - Certified Clinical Engineer
SWEDEN'S NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH & WELFARE: MEDICAL DEVICE SECTION
In some simple tests we have seen that maintenance records systems for medical devices did not work and that an interpretive ECG recorder displayed the wrong age of the patient. Some radiation therapy software, defibrillator, patient booking system and patient monitors stopped working when tested.
NZ Infotech Weekly, issue of November 24, 1997, states that according to a recently completed audit by Canterbury Health, dialysis patients are at risk from Y2K problems. Dialysis units, which use electronics to monitor cycles and blood flow, are time-dependent. They also note that Y2K will have a big effect on all analyser machines which use dates in reporting test results.
Critical devices are not always defibrillators but could also be found in the generating plant in a hospital, in a sterilizer and in the invoicing systems or processor controlled machinery at a manufacturers premises.
We have electro-medical equipment in use, which is more than 9 years old. Why the vendor's statement [no plans to modify since products no longer produced] is confusing and disappointing. Some devices are around 10 years old and when it comes to large installations, a life-time of up to 15 years can be found.
Cheryl
P.S. Last year, Nepean District Hospital (Australia) began initial medical device testing. At that time, of 46 items tested - 6 failed.
I have all of the documentation and specifics. But this was a pretty lengthy report and doubt most on this thread would be interested to read all.
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