Make sure your ED is appraised of hospital-wide year 2000 concerns
It’s imperative that ED managers work closely with their hospital’s Y2K teams, urges Dallas Peak, MD, FACEP, clinical assistant professor at Indiana University School of Medicine. "However, don’t limit yourself to only information systems (IS) concerns," he says. "Be wary of other critical subsystems such as power, communication, facilities, and materials management. Many hospitals have created committees to deal with this issue in a wider scope. Make sure that you are personally involved or appraised of these matters."
Too often, the ED is excluded from system planning, stresses Brian Duggan, RN, MSN, clinical operations manager for information services at Carolinas Health Care System in Charlotte, NC. "You need to be assertive and get on whatever Y2K committees are appropriate," he says. "Ask your IS department how they are managing the Y2K bug, and offer to help them assess the equipment in your ED."
Y2K committees should involve the ED, Duggan says. "The IS department needs input from the ED and other areas, because this problem needs to be tackled globally," he explains. "Maintenance needs to be a major part of this, because of the issue with electricity and water. And there needs to be a very clearly written disaster plan for the ED, should there be a shortage of water and electricity."
Make sure administrators are taking the ED seiorusly, Duggan advises. "The ED is the point of entry for most admissions. Also, if people are looking for shelter, the ED is going to be a big vulnerability in terms of taking care of the community and itself," he adds. "Make sure that senior administrators are aware of the need for systemwide disaster planning, because the ED will be one of the key points to be affected."
If consultants are used by the hospital, make sure you are involved. "Consultants are expensive but they can bring in a fresh point of view and expertise. If the hospital can afford it, they’re well worth it," says Duggan. "If a consultant group is brought in, make sure the ED is part of what they’re looking at."
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