[The millenium switch on 01 January 2000--a foreseeable crash for gynecologic and obstetrical software applications?]

The switch to the new millennium causes greater difficulties in computing concerning hard- and software. It is not foreseeable how much each computer will be hit by that. Due to the common use of computers in all parts of medicine the possible crash of data banks and networks across hospitals could afflict the regular care of patients in wards and outpatient clinics. The ability of each computer to go to the new millennium can be checked by simply performed tests or by highly specialized programmes as well. As many mistakes occur in co-operation of hardware and software, it is hard to fix the system. To continue the use of a data bank it is necessary to change the data bank's date format and all applications at the same time. Programmers and providers offer their advice via internet.