January 10, 2000

Edwin Ortiz from Environmental Services

Mike Stone
from Coffee Central

Donna Gulbinas, RN,
from I.V. Therapy

Transition into the new millennium declared problem-free

As the clock struck midnight Dec. 31, not much changed at the MGH. Nurses made their rounds. Doctors checked in on patients. Environmental Service staff prepared patient rooms. The only difference was that a new millennium had begun.

At left, Jim Noga, James J. Mongan, MD, and Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, MS, in the Command Center

Extra staff members were on hand to help usher the hospital into the year 2000. Information Systems (IS) staff were ready to deploy in case of any Y2K-related incidents. Security officers were in place for emergencies. Nutrition Services staff stayed after hours to serve food and drinks to the late shifts. Additional Emergency Department personnel were available to help with the expected increase of emergencies related to First Night revelers.

But the transition into the new millennium went off without a hitch – free of ominous Y2K problems and with fewer than expected admissions. "There were no notable disruptions during the Y2K weekend," says Jim Noga, chief information officer and Y2K coordinator. "Everything went well because of the collective participation of all departments throughout the hospital to make the transition run smoothly. This was an unusual set of circumstances, but it was not unusual to have everyone come together for a common goal."

At right, Staff from Blake 10

Noga and other staff were stationed in the Y2K command center on Bulfinch 2 from noon Dec. 31 to noon Jan. 3 to receive Y2K updates from departments, trouble-shoot any problems and monitor national and international Y2K activities. New Year's celebrations in other time zones signaled that there would be few, if any, Y2K-related problems, but staff at the MGH were ready just in case.

IS staff proactively tested software to ensure that all computer systems worked properly. Biomedical Engineering and Facilities staff tested medical equipment and internal systems as well. On the patient units, nurses stations were stocked with flashlights and back-up equipment in case of power outages.

As the full staff returned Monday, Jan. 3, they found no visible signs of the predicted Y2K problems. Most everyone involved with the Y2K preparations felt that the months of planning will prove useful even after the calendar rollover.

At left, Emergency Dept. staff

"I think this was a very important effort far beyond Y2K," says Jeffrey Cooper, PhD, director of Biomedical Engineering. "Preparing for the unknown got all of us to become a closer-knit team. We analyzed and upgraded our systems and contingency plans to be prepared for the worst. I think that we now are much better prepared for any real disaster that might come our way. As much work as it was, I think that together we turned the Y2K problem into a great opportunity."

For those who were at the hospital that night, the camaraderie and staff support were evident. "I think that everyone worked hard on behalf of our patients and our employees," says Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, MS, senior vice president for Patient Care Services and chief nurse. "I saw exceptional teamwork throughout the institution, and I can't imagine better people to be with on New Year's Eve."

During the next few weeks, IS, Telecommunications, Biomedical Engineering and Facilities will continue to monitor systems for any problems, but for the most part, the MGH has been declared Y2K successful. "I am very thankful to the entire MGH staff for all of their hard work getting ready for this one significant moment," says Noga. "It truly is a testament to the excellence of the staff, employees and volunteers of this hospital."

Staff from White 7