[Local information systems at the Pediatric Clinic at the University Clinical Center in Sarajevo--experience and...

Computer were first introduced at Pediatric hospital in Sarajevo in 1989 and since 1990 first programs for managing data have been started. They were used for administration of patients and history taking, as well as for collecting clinical data of them. In the beginning, introduction was slow because lot of doctors and nurses were reluctant in using new techniques. But, in a year most of them realized all the advantages PC offers. At that time all the PCs were separated, that has limited their full facilitated data gathering especially in the periods when we lacked all other office materials (paper, typing machines ... even pencils). Thanks to them we have preserved all medical data about patients in 4 years war period. After the end of the War we started project of making clinical network and program that should run most of the work that is performed at Pediatric Hospital in Sarajevo. Everything that is done at hospital and could be helped by the use of the computers was recorded and algorithms were made. The network consists of 15 PC units. Program was developed through several phases from the admittance of the patients and administration regarding it to the discharge letter. Outpatient work was incorporated, as well as gathering all the medical findings of the patients at one place. First experiences are extremely positive. We have speeded up "paper work" and freed much time that medical stuff can spend with patients. The main problems that we encounter are need for permanent education in working with system, lack of more powerful server that can handle more data and introducing of the pictures in the medical records. We conclude that clinical network with the use of good program for managing all the data gathered in the hospital is essential for today's work.