Computer-based case tracing (COMTRAC).

To assist clinical assessment and decision making, a computer-based system has been developed to organize key data of individual medical records and display these data in a standard graphic format for each disease. A program for multiple myeloma has been completed and 150 case records entered. The data accessed by computer-based case tracing on all cases of a particular disease are available for cumulative and comparative analyses of different therapeutic regimens.

An NIH/Columbia University information system interface.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Health Sciences of Columbia University have developed an information system interface whereby sponsored research information is routinely forwarded, in machine-readable form, from the NIH to Columbia University. For Columbia University the interface system has materially reduced data input costs, made information available on a more timely basis, improved the quality of its system by the adoption of existing standardized data definitions, and allowed flexible access to NIH's broad data base. For NIH the system permits an improvement in its data base through high-quality and fast feedback from the grantee institution. The promotion of future systems development is enhanced through the adoption of standardized data element designations and definitions.