Interesting information in Duke U and Med Center's Y2K compliance report

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) : One Thread

DUKE SAYS IT'S 99% COMPLIANT

Officials say the other 1% will be fixed; contingency plans intact

by Jennifer Chorpening, The Herald-Sun (Durham)

Duke officials announced Tuesday that both the university and health system are 99 percent Y2K compliant, and that in the next 59 days they expect to fix the last 1 percent.

But just in case, contingency plans involving diesel-fueled generators, stockpiled medications and bottled water are ready.

"We are confident we will not have a serious problem," said Tallman Trask III, Duke's executive vice president. But to keep aware of time passing, and to underscore how little time remains, Trask's own office contains a digital calendar counting down the seconds to New Year's Eve.

The glitch that may have some computers thinking Jan.1 really is the turn of the 19th century has tested Duke's manpo9wer and resources. The university paid $75million for Y2K fixes, most of which went to upgrade computers systems -- but that needed to be done anyway, Trask said. Specific Y2K problems cost the university $19 million, and of that $17 million was for5 the hospitals.

In the health system alone, more than 1,000 computer experts, technicians and engineers have worked for more thanh a year to ferret out lurking Y2K problems.

"We are essentially in as good as shape as we can be," said Michael Israel, vice president and chief of hospitals and clinical facilities for the Duke University Health System, which includes Duke Unversity Hospital, Durham Regional Hospital and Raleigh Community Hospital.

The hospitals will have a command center in place on Dec. 31, staffed by senior administrators, physicians and key staffers.

"We will treat it the same way that we treat a hurricane or ice storm," Israel said. In addition, the hospitals are, hoarding" medications and supplies, to have 5 percent more on hand than normal, Israel said.

Duke University Medical Center has 32 generators in case of power failure, and Duke Hospital and Durham Regional Hospital have top priority for power restoration from Duke Power Co.

More than 20,000 patient-care devices at Duke Hospital have been tested and determined to be Y2K compliant, officials said. This equipment includes diagnostic equipment, intravenous (IV) infusion pumps, respirators, vital sign monitors, heart-lung machines, X-rays and other imaging equipment.

Durham Regional Hospital has been preparing for Y2K since 1994. The hospital has spent $1.2 million on medical equipment replacements and upgrades. In addition, if the power goes out, the hospital has four back-up diesel generators that can power the hospital fort two weeks without refueling.

Trask noted that since the university is on semester break on Jan. 1, Duke administrators will have less to worry about. Students in campus housing will be urged to make alternate housing plans in the event of an emergency. Stufdents living in off-campus dormitories will not be allowed to stay late, beyond Dec. 19, or move in early, before Jan. 10. Fall semester ends Dec. 18 and classes for spring semester begin Jan. 12.

University services should not be interrupted, officials said. Dining services will stockpile a three-week supply of food in storerooms and freezers. In the event of prolonged power failure, the university will bring in freezer trucks. If water systems have problems, the university will bring in truckloads of bottled water.

The Duke Police Department will lead a university command center, opening at 6 p.m. Dec. 31 and staying open as long as necessary. In addition to normal staffing, Duke Police will add 120p police officers and 12 security officers , and another squad will be on standby.

Duke's telephone system, which works independently of outside networks, has bee4n tested and proclaimed Y2K compliant.

Duke spent $42 million upgrading the central administrative computer systems that process student records, employee payroll and benefits, and university finance and purchasing.

Backup payroll checks for employees to be paid Jan. 7 will be printed in mid-December.

Students need not hear a Y2K glitch coming between them and their financial aid. Trask said he has authority from the Board of Trustees to float students temporary loans.

As for outside forces disrupting Duke, Trask said the important things, "water, power and money," have all been researched.

Hospital workers, at least, will have some fun that night. The university has arranged for a nonalcoholic party for on-duty staff.

(Ed's note - Duke purchased Durham Regional only this year.)

Sorry for any typos.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), November 03, 1999

Answers

Careful, there, my sis in law is a cath lab nurse there.

C

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), November 03, 1999.


It should read, "In addition to normal staffing, Duke Police will add 12 (not 120) police officers and 12 security officers, and another squad will be on standby."

Since students will be on vacation, has anyone else wondered why Duke is adding more security? Sounds like the equivalent of 2 squads and another on standby, or 3 x the usual number.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), November 03, 1999.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ