A new computer network system for communicating perinatal decision support information via a telephone line.
OBJECTIVE
For fetal monitoring and assessment of high risk mother and fetus at regional hospitals, we developed a new computer network system.


METHODS
The system incorporates a notebook-type personal computer (PC-9801nv) at regional hospital for communication in with 3 servers (IBM5580-YOC) connected via 2 Ethernet LANs to 2 host computers (IBM3080, IBM3174) and 5 workstations (IBM5521 V2b), and transmits the compressed data by telephone. When the data arrive, the doctor in perinatal center can immediately display and interpret the data on his workstation and give appropriate advice to the doctor at the regional hospital.


RESULTS
The rate of reliable data transmission was 100%. Each 1 hour recording session and characteristic perinatal information was transmitted in less than 2 minutes. Regional medical institutions can easily access the center, and thereby can receive both simplified automatic diagnosis by fetal cardiotocography and pregnancy-risk evaluation.


CONCLUSIONS
Because this system uses telephone circuits, it can be accessed from all regions of the country. Thus, our system is useful for perinatal management of high risk mother and fetus.
Kubo
T
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kochi Medical School, Japan.
Sagara
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D003195:Computer Communication Networks; D003660:Decision Support Systems, Management; D005260:Female; D005323:Fetal Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk