[Development of an information system for operations]

The report describes a computer system that provides statistical information on the anesthetic and surgical procedures performed by anesthetists and surgeons, reports on the operative activity of the anesthesia and surgical departments, and assists in daily scheduling of the program. Additional programs can be used for billing, displaying the use of (operating room OR) facilities by the various surgical divisions, and showing the actual stage of on-line operations with monitors. The software system MUMPS has been found to be a low-priced yet efficient and versatile multiuser system. The main features of the program are ease of use, prospective data entry (i.e. during the entire stay of the patient), and the possibility of modifying and expanding the system easily. Missing or inaccurate data are automatically brought to the attention of those who have performed the operation or the anesthesia by a program that is run periodically. The system has been found to be a useful tool for the daily scheduling of the OR program. It provides data for better scheduling of personnel and records can also be kept regarding the professional experience of physicians. The major deficiency of the program at this stage is its lack of a hierarchical structure. For example, it is unable to record multiple operations and/or anesthetic procedures for the same patient. This deficiency will be corrected in a newer version of the program.