The computer-based patient record: the role of the hospital epidemiologist.

Despite advances in computers and software for data analysis, hospital epidemiologists still must use manual methods for data collection. To automate infection control surveillance fully, healthcare institutions need computerized medical records; however, very few institutions currently have such a system. Healthcare institutions appreciate the need for automation, but frequently do not see a clear path to the desired outcome. In this article, we outline the important issues that hospital epidemiologists must understand if they wish to help their institutions to computerize their medical records.