GENFILES: a computerized medical genetics information network. II. MEDGEN: the clinical genetics system

MEDGEN, a clinical genetics information storage and retrieval system, facilitates the handling of medical records for the central genetics clinic and satellite clinics conducted by the University of California, San Francisco. The system is part of the GENFILES genetics network, which handles all of the genetics data generated by a comprehensive medical genetics center. The clinical data stored on each patient include 1) diagnoses, which utilize McKusick catalog numbers as well as our own diagnostic codes; 2) relevant medical, gestational, and pregnancy history; 3) clinical manifestations (functional and structural); 4) karyotype information through a crosslink to the cytogenetics file; 5) ethnic origin of the patients; 6) physical status and sex of the patient; 7) laboratory studies, including results of metabolic tests; and 8) any additional remarks deemed necessary for complete understanding. The data, staff member attending, and physical location of each visit also are recorded.