Computer-based monitoring and data analysis in anaesthesia and intensive care.

A computer with a software package for physiological monitoring at the bedside has been set up, modified and used in a Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care over the last three and a half years. Many difficulties have been experienced in implementing a useful computer-based program for monitoring physiological data. The cost of further development to overcome these difficulties could not be justified, and demands for computer time to allow storage and analysis fo other data was increasing. A decision was therefore made to eliminate the monitoring role of the computer, and it is now used for storage and analysis of administrative and clinical data from the Intensive Care Unit, Operating Theatres and Pain Management Unit.