|
Today, more than ever, loss or misuse of your vital records can virtually put you OUT of business! Let us help you keep this from happening, with our disaster planning procedures.
For example; does your old microfilms "smell of vinegar", or split/break easily? Chances are it is the old "acetate-based film needing to be converted to polyester; (quickly review page 2 of this page link) , before it's too late. Check specifically pg. 2 of this article, and let us save these vital record microfilms before it's too late, in our Kodak-certified lab; call 602-233-1230 or email us at clientservicing@lincum.com
|
||
|
KODAK MICROFILM DISASTER RECOVERY Program It is not always possible to predict the desired life of records at the time they are produced. Regulatory record retention, frequency and care of use, fire and other disasters must be taken into account. Microfilm records will burn considerably slower than paper, but precautions against fire, heat, water, fungus and mold, humidity damage and other risks must be taken. This includes storage devices; Vaults, Insulated Cabinets and Safes. Lin_Cum , Inc. provides these storage devices for your records, as well as storing your original microfilms, and backup copies, in our own long-term, and archival vaults and very nominal "insurance" rate. Kodak has also provided a comprehensive Microfilm Disaster Recovery Program for its customers for many years. Although this form of information insurance has only been used by a small percentage of all the Kodak microfilm users, the savings in time, labor, business, and reputation has been priceless. This service is provided free-of-charge to Kodak film users; customers using it have estimated their savings to be in the millions of dollars. The lifeblood of an organization is its vital records. Vital records are stored and archived on microfilm in order to: save space reduce filing labor reduce re-filing labor provide a security back-up insure file integrity maintain archivability protect against technology migration.
But, if there is no plan to protect and recover from a disaster, then the risks which can be avoided by using microfilm are not really avoided.
This recovery program is available to every customer who uses Kodak Microfilm and uses Kodak Authorized Processing Labs, (including Lin_Cum), or adheres to Kodak standards when processing internally. The program includes free: technical situation assessment consultation on appropriate actions special chemical treatment of damaged film to stabilize it from further deterioration film cleaning and drying services duplication of film for active, continued use for financial institutions -- cash letter reconstruction all available 24 hours a day for fast disaster recovery
Other disaster recovery contract services are available such as film intensification, duplication and more.
The services provided by the Kodak Microfilm Disaster Recovery Program will help limit the liability risks that exist for corporate officers according to federal law, limit financial losses, reduce the disaster's inconvenience, and reduce the negative impact on the organization's customers. All of these benefits are available free-of-charge for the Kodak Microfilm user, through Lin_Cum.
|
100,000 medical records destroyed in fire Warehouse held pre-2005 UNM Hospital files · Reporter: Crystal Gutierrez ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - University of New Mexico Hospital officials blame a big fire at an Albuquerque warehouse for the destruction of thousands of medical records. Hospital Executive Director Catherine Porto said the fire destroyed about 90 percent of the hospitals medical records dated before 2005. Porto said 100,000-plus patient files were lost. The fire started June 23 and ravaged through the "Springer Industrial Center" near Broadway Boulevard and Mountain Road NE. The fire burned for several days, and its believed 40 percent of the records were destroyed then. A week later the fire flared up again, and flames and more water destroyed everything else. Porto said fortunately the hospital switched to a digital system five years ago. She said all visits from 2005 to the present are electronically filed. "Because of that we really had no complaints that the fire damage has hampered patient care in any way, Porto said. Porto said some patients have already requested some pre-2005 medical records. She said the hospital sent out a letter to them verifying their records were destroyed. Along with patient records, medical research documents were also stored inside the warehouse. Hospital officials said they don't know how many projects were lost, but they believe the main researchers of the projects should have most of the data stored on computer. Porto said they have one more storage center. The records that are being housed there are now being scanned into the new system. Hospital officials said in New Mexico medical records must be stored in an area with 24-hour security and a sprinkler system. The warehouse had both so the hospital was in compliance
|
|
Vital Records Disaster Planning and RecoveryTechnological development has had an increasing impact on vital records programs. We have grown to rely on electronic information systems to conduct our business and to document essential transactions. Because information in electronic form may be changed or deleted more easily than information on other media, special measures must be taken in the creation and preservation of electronic records:
Planning must address actual and potential risks that could adversely affect the firms operations and the preservation of records. Possible natural threats include fire, hurricane, earthquake, flood, and infestation by vermin or other pests. Human threats include sabotage, civil disturbance, arson, and terrorism. In terms of natural disasters, regional conditions should be considered. Firms located on the east coast of the United States must consider the possible effect of hurricanes on their operations and their records. Those in the South, Southwest and Midwest may be more subject to tornadoes. Those on the West Coast may be more subject to earthquakes. All regions are subject to the possibility of flood and fire. Examples of disasters affecting Government facilities include the hurricane that hit Homestead Air Force Base in Florida, a flood that invaded the Defense Mapping Agency in St. Louis, MO, an earthquake that damaged a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Los Angeles, CA, the volcano eruption that caused the evacuation and abandonment of Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines, as well as the bombing of the Federal facility occupied by several agencies in Oklahoma City. Levels of Risk In planning to meet actual and potential risks to operations and the records needed to support them, officials should identify the types of risks to which each of its facilities may be subject. They should also assess the level of each type of risk to determine the type of protection or response that may be required. Some emergencies may require only limited response, while others might be declared major emergencies. Emergencies may affect one office within the firm or an entire facility. They may be local or regional in scope. For example, forewarning of an imminent terrorist attack in an area might be characterized as a top-level emergency and preplanned action would be taken to evacuate the threatened facility and continue operations from another site until the threat is resolved or ceases. Alternatively, a minor flood causing minimal damage to records and space would be assigned a lower magnitude of importance requiring a less disruptive response. Call Upon The Professionals Disaster plans, much like any other plans, need to be practiced and rehearsed occasionally, so that when the disaster actually occurs, all employees know what to do and how to do it, to be most effective. And do NOT forget to contact the nearest Fire Department, Law Enforcement or other agencies who are well trained and prepared to handle the emergencies. |
||