Y2K crisis is closer than you think
BY BRENDA TILKE
Biggest potential problem areas include
patient scheduling and billing
Radiologists with a high volume of Medicare patients may have to wait even longer for checks after Jan. 1, 2000. That's just one of the Y2K problems they face, warned Trevor Cradduck, PhD, president of the Keston Group, a telemedicine and medical informatics consulting firm in London, Ontario.
"Among U.S. government agencies, the Department of Health and Human Services-which controls Medicare-is probably the least prepared for Y2K," Cradduck said in an RSNA InfoRad lecture Sunday morning.
Although most radiology equipment manufacturers are working to have their products upgraded before serious problems can occur, radiologists may encounter snafus from unsuspected areas.
"If you work in a independent clinic, better make sure your landlord has everything up to date or you may find yourselves trapped in an elevator or locked out of your offices by a non-compliant security system," Cradduck said.
With less than 300 workdays until Jan.1, 2000, facilities should have an inventory system and compliance program already in place, along with a contingency plan should plans go awry.
Problems may first show up in scheduling if computers having year dating problems that could include not recognizing the year 2000 or not counting as a leap year. Offices using PCs bought before 1998 also could be in trouble.
"About half of PCs bought in 1997 are not Y2K compliant," Cradduck said.
Radiologists should develop a triage system for equipment that might be affected by Y2K problems. For equipment that can be brought into compliance, upgrades should begin ASAP. Equipment that can't be upgraded should be replaced by no later than the third quarter of 1999.
"Be aware that there may be a backlog of orders and you may not get delivery right away," Cradduck said.
Should serious problems develop, don't expect insurance companies to cover business losses, he warned.
"If insurers can find somebody at fault somewhere, they won't cover you," Cradduck said.
An extensive list of Y2K web sites can be found at Cradduck's site, www.keston.com.
