[A proposal for a computerized clinical records file for a department of general surgery]

The author suggest a computerized program for filing clinical records of surgical institution. The proposed file is written in DB III plus (Ashton-Tate) and consists of one file .dbf and 4 files .prg. The database file contains anagraphic and clinical data of the patients. The program files make it possible to attribute a personal code to patients, print records of single patients, calculate the time of operation and assist in codifying diagnostic related groups (DRGs). The author stresses the utility of a medical computerized records system containing only few but important clinical data. It makes it possible to perform the most analysis of surgical series without the aid of a professional programmer.