Needs for computing facilities in anesthesiology.

The use of computers in the practice of anesthesiology appears to be very promising--therefore the time has come to reflect on ways to utilize the possibilities of computers in this field. The anesthesiologist is faced with an existing "medical information science" and system developments and must now address these questions: How do computers fit in these systems? What is the kind of support and help one can expect from the use of computers? Next one attempts to define the needs for computer support, taking into account the specific working conditions of various anesthesia teams. A description is made of how a system for medical information is automatized--and by way of an example--how such a computer system for anesthesiologists is linked to a larger regional facility. Advantages and disadvantages of such a system are discussed.