RUMOR: The year 2000 problem will cause pacemakers to malfunction, including, as a worst case, failure to provide the needed pacing output to sustain cardiac function.
FALSE. While computer software frequently is embedded as a component of pacemakers, this software does not use date information in the operation of the pacemaker itself. None of the implanted devices require knowledge of, nor do they use, the current date to operate safely and effectively.
Software is also used in associated support devices, such as external pacemaker programmers, that are used in conjunction with implanted pacemakers. The year 2000 problem will not affect most of these associated products. However, the problem could affect a few of the external programmers that are used to monitor and/or change pacemaker operating conditions if these programmers were not designed to be year 2000 compliant.
The Food and Drug Administration has contacted medical device manufacturers to ensure that they are working with the medical community to prevent potential disruptions in clinical care caused by the year 2000 problem.
For pacemakers, there are only a few older models of pacemaker programmers that are affected. The manufacturers are expected to provide solutions or upgrades for these well before the year 2000 date problem could impact a physician's ability to provide appropriate clinical care when monitoring or reprogramming of the pacemaker is required. Physicians who are using these programmers will be contacted by the manufacturer and advised of actions need to correct the problem.
y2k.gov
MORE ON PACEMAKERS:
Message 8701933
<<The last straw is when I read a post on one of the threads questioning whether pace-makers would fail!> Jim
Pacemakers do not operate in isolation.
Have I helped you in anyway to better understand the problem with pacemakers?
<I am a senior citizen with friends who have pacemakers implanted. They are DEATHLY afraid that their hearts will stop at 00:00 next January. We are not playing games here.> Jim
If you'd like to help your friends, I would suggest you print out my two posts and give to your friends, who in turn can give to their doctors. And, they should do what Ken suggested. Contact their physicians on this.
Cheryl |
