This article examines the stages in developing an
information system for
injuries from
external causes (Sistema de Información de Lesiones de Causa Externa-SILEX), as well as its limitations and
achievements . SILEX is a Web-based application for collection,
quality control , presentation, and
analysis of data available from the
hospital system for
surveillance of
injuries from
external causes created by Ministry of
Health of
El Salvador with data from the
hospital emergency services . This system maintains comprehensive information on the injured
person -type of
injury ,
intention ,
injury site, activity being performed at the
time of
injury ,
risk factors , etc.-in the form of tables, graphs, and maps, which streamlines the development of intervention plans and prevention initiatives for these types of
injuries in
El Salvador . This experience is an example of what can be done to close the information gap on
injuries by
external causes in the Region of the
Americas .