A SELF-PROGRAMMABLE INVITRO FERTILIZATION GAMETE INTRAFALLOPIAN TRANSFER PATIENT DATABASE-MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR MACINTOSH COMPUTERS

Purpose: Our purpose was to develop a data processing system for a lar ge in Vitro Fertilization/Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (IVF/GIFT) pr actice which would (1) require minimal data entry time, (2) be easy to operate, (3) be simple to construct (no knowledge of procedural langu age or programming necessary), and (4) quickly collate and reduce data . Results: A database management system was successfully constructed o n an Apple MacIntosh computer which met the above criteria. The key el ements of this database were its user-friendly features (MacIntosh-bas ed system), adaptability (user was constantly able to update and revis e the program as informational needs changed), and ability to perform complex searches and data analyses imposed by the individual operators . Conclusions: The software and hardware described in this report were found to be highly effective in meeting the ever-changing administrat ive and clinical needs of our IVF/GIFT program.