1991 registry of the French Society of Hemapheresis (SFH): preliminary results for the first year of the on-line computer access file. The Registry Study Group.

From 1985 to 1990, the French Society of Hemapheresis (SFH) managed a National Registry of Plasma Exchange (PE) which included a data collection service, computer data input and statistical analysis of the total operation. The management of this registry did, however, encounter some problems. In 1991, an on-line computer access file was created, permitting French centers to input their data in Minitel Registry System. As a result, analysis on a national scale has proven more time-effective and data collection errors have been noticeably reduced. In January 1991, 43 centers were connected to the Minitel System. Only 17 centers, representing 4706 PEs, entered their data directly to the Minitel System during 1991 and, during the first term of 1992, a further 11 centers, representing 3258 PEs, communicated their data on paper in batch mode. The final total for 1990 was: 26 centers representing 860 patients and 7991 PEs. It is likely that some small imperfections have already developed during processing of the 1991 data, but these will be corrected as they are entered into the system. With the implementation of the Minitel System the French PE Registry represents a more accurate picture of plasmapheresis activity in France.