The Modified Barium Swallow Database

Every center that carries out the modified barium swallow (MBS) has a potential storehouse of useful clinical and radiological information filed away in the patient's files and in the center's video library. The modified barium swallow database automates the recording, storage, and analysis of this information. This project utilizes a standardized clinical and radiological data form which provides a consistent approach to the reporting of the MBS results. The information on the data form is entered into the MBS database software program for decoding and permanent storage. This database program, designed for the computer novice, is menu driven to simplify operation. Once the patient information is verified on the computer screen, the program can generate different types of reports for clinical and research purposes. The program has routines to search for patients with any clinical or radiological findings of interest. The ability to group and recall patients with specific findings has been an aid in teaching, peer review, and research. The program has been modified based upon feedback and experience at three centers in Toronto that have used it for 9 months.