In cases where this verification has not been forthcoming, the hospital has asked for a commitment as to when it will be addressed. Mid-1998 seems to be a common target deadline for this latter group of vendors, he reports. It's a date that suits his schedule. Anything that is not compliant will be replaced, and all new purchases must be Y2K compliant, requirements that can impose significant budget demands. For example, some 1,000 monitors in DeVito's institution are not currently Y2K compliant.
Testing is a critical step in the process.
Institutions really need to make sure they don't underestimate the resources needed for this step. Second, secure a commitment from those who are not yet compliant as to how they will become so. Third, for those items that clearly are not going to make the grade, find the resources to replace them, develop a contingency plan, or both. Fourth, test, test, test. Y2K-savvy vendors concur with this strategy.