A computerized single entry system for recording and reporting data on high-risk newborn infants

A computer-assisted system for data collection in an intensive care nursery is described. Maternal history, infant history, diagnoses, and treatment are sequentially identified on a single form and then entered in batches into a computer at the time of patient discharge. Computer production of a discharge summary and letters to referring and follow-up physicians from a single data-entry form account for an approximately 80% savings in physician record-keeping time per patient. Accuracy of the data is approximately two and one-half times greater than with existing methods of data gathering. Survey of disease occurrence and case fatality rates are rapidly available.