---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 5 Apr 1999 10:30:08 -0400 (EDT)
From: ProMED-mail <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: PRO/AH> Millennium bug: CDC & ATSDR readiness
MILLENIUM BUG: CDC & ATSDR READINESS
*****************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.healthnet.org/programs/promed.html>
Date: Thu 1 Apr 1999
From: Marjorie P. Pollack [log in to unmask]
Source: CDC http://www.cdc.gov/y2k/y2khome.htm
[Note: in spite of the story´s date, this is *not* a hoax - Mod.JW]
The scope of the Year 2000 (Y2K) issue, also known as the Millennium Bug,
spans virtually all sectors of the economy, public and private businesses
and organizations, and other elements of daily life that are affected by
information technology and other devices that contain date-sensitive
embedded microchips. Included in potentially affected services are the
practice of healthcare and public health which is responsible for preventing
disease, environmental hazards, and injuries.
The Y2K phenomenon exists because for decades, it's been common practice for
programmers to use the last two digits, instead of all four, to represent
the year. This practice was believed to save storage and memory space and
minimize data entry burden. However, as the year 2000 approaches, public
health agencies must join with both the public and private sectors and take
aggressive action to maintain system continuity, quality, and integrity to
ensure a smooth and uninterrupted information flow.
Achieving Year 2000 compliance is a top priority for CDC and its sister
agency -- the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The
practice of public health is very date-dependent and it is critical to
maintain the quality, continuity, and integrity of the agencies' scientific
and business processes. There are about 230 major information systems at CDC
and ATSDR that represent an estimated 12 million lines of programming code
and world-wide information transactions. CDC and ATSDR's projected cost for
the human resources, hardware and software necessary to achieve Y2K
compliance is approximately $21 million.
To meet the Y2K challenge, CDC and ATSDR have been working diligently to
ensure all information systems, external data exchanges, laboratory
equipment, building and facilities, telecommunications networks, information
technology infrastructure, and commercial software is Y2K compliant and
ready for the millennium transition.
CDC began its Y2K-related actions in 1996 and developed a multi-faceted
action plan to address the transition. Key elements of this plan include:
Preparation - raising internal organizational awareness as well as
identifying assets vulnerable to Y2K;
Assessment - analyzing assets for Y2K readiness;
Planning - developing comprehensive project plan, strategies, approaches,
methodologies, and standards;
Remediation - converting code and data, replacing or retiring systems, and
acquiring new systems or assets as necessary;
Evaluation - project monitoring, independent verification and validation
testing of system compliance, and ongoing monitoring of remediated systems;
Outreach - maintaining awareness, assessing partner readiness and plans, and
coordinating compliance efforts with partners; and
Contingency Planning - planning to ensure continuity of critical functions
in the event of system and/or infrastructure service failures or problems.
The following highlights summarize the agency's status toward achieving Y2K
compliance:
By the end of 1998, CDC and ATSDR had achieved Y2K compliance for all major
information systems and external data exchanges with other partners. Work is
nearing completion on all other Y2K project aspects such as repair or
replacement of devices with embedded microchips. Compliance in the other
areas is expected to be reached by June 1999. An extensive contingency plan
has also been developed.
CDC and ATSDR have been active in outreach efforts in the healthcare and
public health industries in coordination with the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services and the President's Council for Y2K Conversion. CDC has
actively worked with many partners in the healthcare and public health areas
to, among other things, conduct a readiness assessment of state health
agencies and co-sponsor a national teleconference of Y2K readiness in
clinical laboratories.
Work is underway to conduct a Y2K environmental simulation test with our
public health partners to ensure Y2K readiness for processes that cross
organizational boundaries and to instill public confidence.
The public's health and safety and the quality of healthcare are a top
priority for CDC and ATSDR -- especially in the face of the Year 2000
challenge. It is essential that healthcare providers and government health
agencies maintain a full commitment to Y2K readiness, testing, and
contingency planning. Equally essential is the public's awareness of the Y2K
issue and their ability to take prudent action based on accurate and timely
information. CDC and ATSDR will continue to test and address systematic
issues that may relate to the Y2K challenge -- and communicate these
activities to it's clients in the global community.
For additional details on CDC/ATSDR's Y2K actions, please visit our web site
at: http://www.cdc.gov/y2k/y2khome.htm
Other sources for Y2K information can be found at The President's Council on
Year 2000 Conversion web page at: www.y2k.gov
or by calling the Council's free Y2K information line at 1-888-USA-4-Y2K.
Contact: CDC, Media Relations Division Tel: +1 404 639-3286
..................................jw
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