title: Neuro-Link, a computer-assisted database for head injury in intensive care.
abstract: Reliable information is vital for clinical trials, so we developed a database, for head trauma victims admitted to neuro-intensive care units (NICU). This database, first step in a sequential project, comprises 176 selected fields mainly focused on the early post-traumatic phase and has a user-friendly computerized interface. The software was tested for a trimester in 18 Italian neuro-intensive care units. The paper describes the main features of the database, the results of a three months' data collection test, its limitations and its potential improvements. A description of the database fields and a brief summary of the 282 patients included so far are also presented.
authors.affiliation: Rianimazione, H San Gerardo, Monza (Mi), Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Citerio
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Stocchetti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cormio
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beretta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003195:Computer Communication Networks; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012984:Software