The storage and retrieval of physiological and medical data in a modern hospital

Abstract

As an introduction this paper considers some of the problems in data handling in a modern hospital. Next, the needs of the users of the data are considered. The principle area of interest is indicated as that hospital function dealing with the storage and retrieval of the clinical record after the patient's hospitalization. The types of terms used in medicine are examined and two currently used schemes for the indexing of diseases are described. Next a storage and retrieval system that permits the medical researcher to examine or browse through clinical records or abstracts of the records is described. The paper concludes with observations on the need for applied research and system development to acquire pilot systems for the storage and retrieval of physiological data.