DEVELOPMENT OF A USER-DEFINED SURGICAL DATABASE USING A PERSONAL-COMPUTER NETWORK

Advances in personal computer technology have made powerful methods fo r the collection and analysis of patient information available to clin ical users. This report details the development of a multi-user databa se distributed across a network of personal computers that facilitates operative scheduling, and collection and analysis of operative data. Clinicians from each surgical service in our medical center developed customized data entry programs that contribute information centrally t hrough a telephone-line network to prepare the daily operative schedul e. Subsequently, information from the operating rooms is added to the preoperative database to form an operative log, which is distributed t o client services for further analysis and modification. This system h as improved the efficiency and accuracy of operative scheduling and in formation management and shifted the burden of data collection away fr om the physician. Widespread availability of these data has contribute d to the development of an effective quality improvement program and f acilitated effective management of personnel and resources.