The computerization of maternity information

Abstract

The collection and evaluation of obstetric data is essentia1 for measuring the adequacy and effectiveness of the health and social services in a country, rendering possible the reallocation of resources end long-term planning on the basis of changing health needs. Organization of a standard maternity and neonatal record on a regional or national level is difficult though ideal, but this is possible in a situation where the majority of deliveries are conducted under the supervision of one department. During 1986, Department of Health in conduction with the World Health Organisation introduced a computer-based Individual Health Profile aimed as a person-based record for all patients who encounter government medical services with the aim of providing readily available clinical information to medical practitioners on the patients they are treating, of scheduling appointments and follow-up procedures, of managing immunization and the preventive programmes, and of conducting surveys and research.