A COMPUTER BASED STATEWIDE PERINATAL NETWORK

Abstract

We have developed a statewide network (PAM/NET) using a large mainframe, time-sharing computer which provides perinatal and follow-up databases and flexible report generation along with an on-line forum for 20 widely separated tertiary care perinatal units in Michigan. The data bases manage discharge summary information from neonatal special care units (about 5000 infants per year)and from visits to Developmental Assessment(follow-up) Clinic. Each unit manages and controls its own data system. However, pooling and sharing of data is facilitated since all of the sites in the network share the same hardware and software. The system converts the data entered into prosaic summary letters which serve as hospital discharge summaries and as dictated letters to referring physicians. The cost is substantially less than that of summaries generated in the traditional way. The users are provided with a simple but powerful interactive query language which allows the local participants to analyze their own data and to conduct their own research.In addition, the users of the data system are enrolled in an electronic forum which is used to address the technical problems they encounter and to provide a medium for exchange of ideas among the participants. This forum is an on-line conferencing program which allows for public announcements, open on-going discussion and private message transmission.Users with little prior computer experience have become able to use the system after a one-day training session.