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Computerized tracking for newborn screening and follow-up: a review.
1Division of Maternal and Child Health, Indiana State Board of Health, Indianapolis 46206-1964.
Journal of Medical Systems
|April 1, 1988
Summary
Computers aid newborn screening for phenylketonuria (PKU) and other disorders. Increased funding is needed to expand automated tracking systems for newborns from birth through follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Medical Informatics
Background:
- Newborn screening programs for conditions like phenylketonuria (PKU) are in their third decade.
- Computer use is growing in both laboratory and follow-up aspects of these programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the current use of computers in newborn screening.
- To identify barriers to wider computer adoption in screening follow-up.
- To propose solutions for improving newborn tracking systems.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of computer utilization in state newborn screening programs.
- Identification of funding as a primary barrier.
Main Results:
- In 1984, less than 40% of state programs utilized automated follow-up systems.
- Lack of funding significantly inhibits the broader implementation of computer-based tracking.
Conclusions:
- Federal funding should be allocated to promote wider distribution of existing tracking systems.
- Development of improved methods for tracking newborns from birth to follow-up is recommended.