Medical devices and the year 2000 problem

The "year 2000 (Y2K) problem"--the fact that microprocessor-based systems or software may malfunction when the year changes from 1999 to 2000--has received considerable media attention. Solutions to the problem have not always been swift in coming, however, and the healthcare industry is one area in which there is still much to do. In the May 1997 issue of Health Devices (26[5]), ECRI published a Talk to the Specialist article that briefly described the possible effects of the year 2000 date change on medical equipment. Since that time, we have gathered additional information and developed new recommendations and guidelines for dealing with this situation.