[Computer-assisted control of a public health inventory]

To cope with its tasks more efficiently, the Public Health Office of the "Märkische Kreis" in 1985 installed an information system on the basis of electronic data processing, the so-called "hygiene inventory". Initially, the introduction of this system into the local Public Health Office is described. The structure and organization of the programme and its performance are then discussed and exemplified by the control of drinking water supply plants. The disadvantages of computer use are by no means overlooked. The latter include the necessity to initially put in a considerable number of data and to constantly store new results, initial acceptance problems and the poor autonomy of the system. The most important advantages of computer-aided processing are optimum evaluation possibilities, centralised scheduling, automated production of letters, efficient drafting of the annual health report and the possibility of exchanging data media.