Renal function tests for windows--a model for the development and distribution of medical software on the Internet.

Abstract

A computer application (Renal Function Tests for Windows) was developed to calculate and sort data for quantitative renal function testing using the Microsoft Visual Basic for Windows programming language. The following diagnostic indices are computed: Measured creatinine clearance--The rate at which serum is cleared of creatinine. Standardized clearance--Creatinine clearance scaled by body surface area. Estimated creatinine clearance--Renal creatinine clearance estimated from serum creatinine Renal failure index--To distinguish prerenal azotemia from oliguric acute renal failure. Renal free water clearance--Net volume per min of free water excreted by the kidneys. Fractional excretion of filtered sodium--To distinguish prerenal azotemia from acute renal failure. Renal Function Tests for Windows (RFT) allows the user to choose to enter only the data that is available. The program will then calculate all the possible results from the given data. Upon request, the program will also inform the user of data that is missing for those results that cannot be calculated. The flexibility of this program allows the user to perform 'what if' analysis through the manipulation of input data. Distribution of this program was accomplished using the Internet File Transfer Protocol (FTP) service. The effectiveness of mode of distributing medical software awaits feedback from users on the Internet.