A Proposed New Outpatient Data Collection System

A proposed outpatient data collection system is described and compared with the current system. Four major advantages of the proposed system are discussed. First, the new outpatient data collection system could simplify and reduce administrative procedures required of Medical Department personnel. Second, the new data collection system could provide a tool for assessing the current state of readiness of operational units throughout the Navy. Third, this system could be used as a basis for making predictions concerning staffing and materiel requirements of any medical facility under a variety of conditions. Finally, the proposed outpatient system could be tied to the current inpatient system to derive complete medical histories for individual patients. By merging the two data systems a research tool would be created that could provide investigators with an unprecedented opportunity to explore the development, distribution, causes, and prevention of disease. (Author)