Sept. 9 Opportunity to Test Y2K Preparation

September 9 Provides Opportunity to Test Y2K Preparation

HOSPITALS are using the September 9 date associated with the Y2K bug to test their backup systems.

Ministry of Health Y2K project manager Steve Brazier said it was highly unlikely hospitals would be affected on September 9.

"The date 9/9/99 was used by older computers systems as a code to dump data, but most modern systems will be unaffected.

"It is unlikely that hospitals would have been affected on September 9 anyway, but as they have now all tested their medical devices and computer systems in preparation for Y2K it becomes an even smaller possibility.

"However, the date provides us with a good opportunity to test the back up communication systems which have been developed in preparation for New Year.

"An alternative communications system using radios to link hospitals with St John's Ambulance Service, the Emergency Management and Civil Defence headquarters based in the Beehive will be tested."

Mr Brazier said the test of the hospital system is just one part of more extensive testing of back up services occurring in the private and public sector on September 9 as part of the preparation for Y2K.

ENDS

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