Problems with automating anaesthetic records.

A truly automated recording system is one which measures the parameters selected and requires nothing more than attaching the monitors to the patient. It should be capable of being easily and rapidly started when appropriate. The user should then be able to enter quantitative and qualitative information about drug and fluid therapy in a manner which is less distracting than the present long-hand method. A system is described which has gone a considerable way towards achieving good automated physiological monitoring. The system has not resolved the problems of data entry which must be overcome before such equipment is made available for general use. The problems of automation which we encountered are presented and some possible solutions considered.