Advanced occupational health information systems

The goals of occupational health information and surveillance systems are outlined together with the components required to achieve these objectives. The various input sources (different divisions within the concerned organization) are identified and major types of output reports of the system are described. These general outlines could assist in standardizing future developments of such systems or potential customers in evaluating commercially available occupational health information systems. Potential advantages to employers and employees from incorporating these comprehensive surveillance systems are indicated. The beneficiary effects of utilizing information accumulated in a standardized, comprehensive, and longitudinal format from large groups of workers for prevention, health maintenance, or epidemiological evaluations are stressed and some specific examples given.