Performances of a distributed data base in token ring network for the interdepartmental sharing of the medical record

A LAN (IBM token-ring) was installed for the management of medical records. Since the network serves not only a hospital but also a research center, the authors had to resolve the following problems: (1) the processing in real time of the patient data for statistical inquiries and research; (2) the management of a general historical database; and (3) the sharing of hardware and software resources. Personal computers connected by means of a local token-ring network and a database with a double structure, distributed and centralized, were adopted. The Clipper language was used as the software tool for its compatibility with DBIII Plus. A description is given of the difficulties that were encountered in the implementation of a distributed pseudorelational database on a PC which will be the software support for the sharing of patient data.<>