Y2K Problems Could Expose Patients to Inappropriate Radiation Levels

["Sandy Perle" <sandyfl@earthlink.net>]

Wednesday August 11, 9:53 am Eastern Time

Company Press Release

SOURCE: ECRI

Y2K Medical Hazard: ECRI Reports That Y2K Problems Could Expose 
Patients to Inappropriate Radiation Levels  

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- ECRI, a nonprofit 
health services research agency, reports that a number of 
radiotherapy systems, which use ionizing radiation in the treatment 
of certain diseases, will be susceptible to potentially hazardous Y2K 
problems. ECRI's report, published in the August 1999 issue of its 
monthly journal Health Devices, describes model-specific problems and 
recommends actions to correct or alleviate the problems.  

``The date change to the year 2000 could cause some systems to 
recommend or implement incorrect dosages, possibly exposing the 
patient to radiation levels that are either dangerously high or too 
low to be clinically effective,'' states James Keller, director of 
ECRI's Health Devices Group. ``However, in most cases, the hospital 
can take corrective action before the Y2K transition to help ensure 
safe and effective therapy,'' adds Keller, ``and it should be noted 
that although the systems may recommend an incorrect dosage, it is up 
to the healthcare professional to actually deliver the dosage. 
Physicians, medical physicists, and radiation therapists need to be 
aware of the problem and be extra cautious.''  

Nearly 2,000 hospitals are members of ECRI's Health Devices System 
and will receive this Y2K Compliance Report, along with other Y2K 
guidance and contingency planning information found in the August 
1999 issue.  

ECRI is a nonprofit international health services research agency and 
a Collaborating Center for healthcare technology assessment of the 
World Health Organization. ECRI has been designated an Evidence-based 
Practice Center by the U.S. Agency for Health Care Policy and 
Research. ECRI provides information and technical assistance to the 
healthcare community to support safe and cost-effective patient care. 
The results of ECRI's research and experience are available through 
its publications, information systems, technical assistance, 
laboratory services, professional seminars, conferences, and  
fellowships.

Sandy Perle
E-Mail: sandyfl@earthlink.net 
Personal Website: http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/1205

"The object of opening the mind, as of opening 
the mouth, is to close it again on something solid"
              - G. K. Chesterton -
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