Hospital information systems are now entering a third generation, not only as regards new technology but more significantly with regard to the role of those involved in their design and implementation. This new emphasis requires a re-evaluation of the roles of the designer and user. In the design of a hospital information system, its unique nature--relating central management to a number of independent clinical specialties--must be recognized. One way to achieve this is the establishment of a minimum basic data set dictated by the specific needs of top management interacting with independent clinical subsystems.

Hospital Administrators↗

PubMed1983

Computerization in a clinical diagnostic laboratory--a luxury or a necessity?

The technological development of computers has made their use in laboratories not only practically feasible but also economically possible. Efficient service in terms of a direct improvement in patient care is an essential aim of all laboratories. The realization of this aim can be facilitated by the use of computers.

Clinical Laboratory Techniques↗

PubMed1982

Genital ulceration in males at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital, Pretoria.

One hundred previously untreated Black male patients presenting with genital ulceration were seen as outpatients at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital, Pretoria. Syphilis was the commonest cause of ulceration, being present alone in 33% of patients. Chancroid occurred almost as frequently, being found alone in 28% of cases. A double infection with both syphilis and chancroid occurred in a further 16%. Herpes genitalis was found alone in 4% and together with chancroid in 1%. One patient was found to have granuloma inguinale and another had lymphogranuloma venereum. In 16% of the patients no cause for the ulcerations could be found.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1979

Genetic and physiological characterization of temperature-sensitive mutants of bluetongue virus.

Complementation studies were carried out, using temperature-sensitive (t-s) mutants of blue-tongue virus (BTV). The results proved to be inconclusive as only low indices of complementation were obtained. No discrepancy was found between the previous classification of these mutants in 6 recombination classes and the complementation data recored. In general, the t-s mutants require a latent growth period of 16-20 h at 28 degrees C and maximum titres can be demonstrated 40-48 h post-infection. One mutant, (F211), however, consistently had a growth lag phase of 32 h. Mutants of the 6 recombination groups were further classified into 2 groups by temperature-shift studies. One calss of mutants expressed their t-s lesion prior to 24 h and the other class only after 24 h post-infection. Mutant F73 was found to be defective in its ability to synthesize ssRNA at a late stage in the replication cycle at the non-permissive temperature.

Bluetongue virus↗

PubMed1976

The isolation and preliminary genetic classification of temperature-sensitive mutants of bluetongue virus.

Temperature-sensitive mutants of bluetongue virus were isolated and classified in 6 genetic recombination groups. The frequency of recombination varied both within and between groups. The 4 mutagens used viz. nitrous acid, N-methyl-N-nitroso-N-nitroguanidine, proflavine and 5-fluoro-uracil were found to differ in their efficacy. The period of incubation required for maximum recombination was 48 h at 28 degrees C.

Bluetongue virus↗