non-compliant healthcare systems

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Recent report from a Unix Systems Administrator for Western Kentucky University---

The SCO Xenix box with Medical Manager version 8 that was being used by student health services was not Y2k compliant. So they installed SCO Xenix on a new box and moved over all the executables and data files. Three days later they began having problems. Their reports have data from different tables mixed together, and sometimes the system just freezes. They are desperate, as they cannot afford to do anything more than they have already done to remediate.

Flash Forward, the developers of software in common use by medical transcriptionists, acknowledges that the version of their software that is still being shipped, and used by numerous medical transcriptionsts, is not Y2k compliant. They stated that Win95/98 machines will cause file lock ups and need to be reformatted. Users must have a recent release of version 6.2 to avoid this, but that information has so far been obtained only by specific inquiries to the company. (call Flash Forward technical support for further information 925-833-2053)

VDI digital systems, also in common use by medical transcriptionists, are not Y2K compliant. The equipment represents a major investment to a medical transcriptionist (over $20,000), many of whom are independent contractors for both hospitals and physicians in private practice. VDI will provide an upgrade for $3,000 to those MT's who are aware of the problem and can afford the cost.

-- Wanda (lonevoice@mailexcite.com), April 03, 1999

Answers

My S.O. is a transcriptionist. I just called her and found out she uses Flash Forward and didn't know about this. She is self-employed and works at home doing transcription for 80+ Docs at a local hospital. If the hospital doesn't get their reports, they can't bill insurance companies. If they can't bill insurance companies, they don't get paid. If they don't get paid....???

-- RUOK (RUOK@yesiam.com), April 03, 1999.

Wanda,

I was in a meeting over a year ago with one of Med Managers largest VARs (they've since been acquired in Med Managers attempt to pull back in from the VAR/Reseller distribution model). At the time of that meeting, the VP of the company (they had over 6000 installs at that time) told me that even if they had a compliant version at that moment in time, they couldn't get around to all their clients within the time remaining. Doesn't look to good, does it? By the way, before anyone asks why you can't just send out an update disk, let me explain. Physicians tend to have a very difficult time in upgrading systems because of several issues. The staff is usually not oriented to technical skills (skill-set is medicine and care of patients). They usually have very large data files that have been converted from one format to another numerous times. Equipment is usually a mixed bag put together from whatever was available at the time, and certainly not least is the fact that they really can't afford to be down for any length of time at all.

Oh, and lets not forget the current condition of HCFA.

-- Greg Sugg (gregsugg@bbnp.com), April 03, 1999.


Another good reason to have hard copies in hand of all your medical records! That includes copies of all tests and don't forget to get a copy of the actual EKG that you might have had and make sure its dated. There are heart conditions that exist that one cannot tell if its old or current. And insist on getting copy of radiologists reports if you have had xrays, surgeons reports, etc. They will not want to give them to you but by law they must. If a Drs office refuses, ask to use their phone so they can tell your attorney why you cannot have your records. Same goes for perscriptions. Hopefully you have a Dr that is a GI.

-- Taz (Tassie@aol.com), April 03, 1999.

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