[The use of the computer in the neonatal intensive therapy unit: the current and prospective aspects].

The Authors assert that computer can give an adjunctive value to our abilities, improve the punctuality of own service, lighten the duties of routine (leaving free time for own-self or for adjournment). We have noticed a gradual but continuous increase of the use of the computer in the last years in hospital particularly in the Neonatology department and in the NICU, even because in these departments the data to compare are numerous. In the Brindisi's NICU since 1/7/1986 there has been a process of progressive increase of the use of the computer, based on three directions: filing data of the patients, computer-assisted management of the treatment of RDS, computer-assisted follow-up of the risk-baby, and management of the resources. Moreover are reported possibilities of future applications, as records of diagnosis and helped therapy, interface with medical equipment, linking with databank and with the hospital's mainframe.