SSM Data Center: a tool in the healthcare apostolate

In 1967 the Sisters of St. Mary established the SSM Data Center to support the mission of the healthcare system by providing computer tools for all areas involved in the care of the sick and injured. To accomplish this, the data processing function was organizationally structured to report to the highest decision-making body of the healthcare system. This has encouraged every unit in the healthcare system to actively participate in the development and use of the computer system. The key to the system is a distributed network, which includes a host computer interconnected with microcomputers and minicomputers at each institution within the healthcare system. The center provides services designed around the uppermost administrative level acting as the nucleus but flexible enough to be tailored to each hospital's specific needs. This encourages the sharing of ideas among organizations but allows each hospital to maintain its unique identity and culture. The data center also provides a Resource Center to help in the use of personal computers and a data processing account representative in each hospital who acts as a liaison with the data center.