March 6, 2007

The FDA has issued a preliminary public health notification about the possible repercussions arising from the changed start date of daylight-saving time.
 
The agency said in a statement that “some medical devices (equipment), hospital networks, and associated information technology systems may generate adverse events” due to the new start and end dates for daylight-saving time.

Specifically citing devices and networks that interact and rely on synchronization of clocks, the FDA advised everyone to check with manufacturers for available patches or fixes so the clock change will not interfere with patients’ treatment.

Daylight-saving time will start three weeks earlier this year and end one week later due to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Clocks nationwide will now “spring forward” at 2:00 am on the second Sunday of March instead of the first Sunday in April. Clocks will “fall back” the first Sunday of November instead of the last Sunday of October.

Set clocks ahead one hour on March 11 at 2:00 am.

More information about medical devices and the time change can be found online.