Little packages with big power. A micro-network to meet nursing information needs

Installation and use of microcomputer LANs is on the rise in health care facilities. The microprocessor is becoming more powerful each day. The microcomputer is quite adept at handling textual and graphic information, which is a major requirement of any nursing patient information system. Microcomputer technology has now advanced to a level where a handful of hospitals have installed, and many hospitals actively plan to install, a complete nursing system based entirely upon a network of microcomputers. This paper discusses components of an order entry/results reporting/care management system based on a distributed, micro network architecture; the benefits of such a design; and the future technology to aid in system use and growth.