Data base management, feedback control, and the Regenstrief Medical Record

Because of the differences in informational needs among medical practices, medical record systems should be flexible. The use of data base management and use-oriented command languages helps to achieve flexibility. The Regenstrief Medical Record System is based upon a data base management system and two user-oriented command languages (the RDB Command Language and CARE). Most batch reports, file maintenance procedures, and ad hoc retrievals can be specified by the user by means of these two languages. This means that the user can specify which reports he wants and how they should look. Daily on-line activities are performed by application programs. The data base system also provides flexibility to these programs since the content and format of many of the display screens are defined by statements that are similar to the command language statements and are stored within a text file. The Regenstrief Medical Record System now carries records for 60,000 patients.