Daylight Saving Time May Mean Problems for Those Who Use Medical Devices at Home

In a warning issued by the FDA on March 1 to those who use medical devices at home, people are encouraged to double check their equipment to make sure it's functioning properly. The early time change may cause malfunctioning for devices that depend on time to function. A memo was sent to healcare providers of the potential problems earlier this month.

This Sunday, March 11 is the roll out of the the energy saving experiment on Daylight Saving Time mandated by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

This has ramifications for all who use medical devices at home but especially for those implanted devices that dispense medication. Most insulin pumps will have to be programmed with the new times to ensure correct medication administration.

The FDA cites March 11, April 1, October 28 and November 4 as potential dates for problems. The dates are the old vs. new times for DST to go into effect.

What You Need to do According to the FDA:

* If you are a patient or caregiver, look at your medical equipment and its instructions to see whether it uses or displays time.

* If so, contact the manufacturer of the equipment and find out if it needs any software or other patch or fix so it will continue to operate correctly when daylight savings time becomes effective on March 11, 2007.

* If you cannot determine who the manufacturer of your medical equipment is or can't contact them, notify your doctor before March 11, 2007, to find out if it's safe to continue using your medical equipment.

* Check your medical equipment after 2:00 AM on March 11, 2007 to make sure it displays the correct time before you rely on it. If your medical equipment displays or uses the incorrect time, tell the manufacturer about your equipment and ask your doctor before you use it.

* When you use your medical equipment after 2:00 AM on April 1, 2007, which was the old scheduled date, make sure it displays the correct time before you rely on the equipment. If your medical equipment displays or uses the incorrect time, tell the manufacturer about your equipment and ask your doctor before you use it.