Development of a Computer - assited Documentation System for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Choi, Myung Gyu; Choi, Byung Gil; Choi, Kyu Yong; Chung, In Sik; Cha, Sang Bok; Chung, Kyu Won; Sun, Hee Sik; Kim, Boo Sung

Abstract

The authors developed a computerized documentation system to record and store all the data pertaining to an endoscopic examination of the upper digestive tract. The system was programmed using the database management system Clipper Version 5.01. It is easy and convenient to use due to advanced deaign of input screen using menu bars and pull down menu and windows. The system was designed to permit the easy storage and retrieval of data by personnel who lack computer skills and who may only have limited typing ability. Today this system has been in daily use for 1 year at the endoscopic units of 8 different branch hospitals of Catholic university,medical college. Overall the experience in these centers has been positive, with excelient or good participation. Characteristics of this system are a menu-driven system, data input by predefined list, instantaneous report generation, on line access to previous examination, late entry of yathologic regerts. and record retrieval, listing according to different criteria. For the description of endoscopic findings and diagnosis, structured input is maintained. All of the findings are chosen from predefined list using pop-up screen and also free text typing is allowed. Therefore time effort was not increased compared to conventional documentation. Structured input and the resulting categorical data affer several advantages.