Programmed database system at the Chang Gung Craniofacial Center: Part I

Background: A database is a system for the management of information. Databases of different forms are widely used in everyday life from telephone books to online library catalogs. The Craniofacial Center at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital has seen over 20,000 patients during the past 20 years. All of the patient records need to digitally input into a computer database. Methods: A database was custom designed using Paradox 8. The ACDSee Photo browser and DOS linked them to the original program. The Paradox 8 was programmed to a standard mode for the diagnosis and treatment data input to prevent typographical errors. Results: We collected the records of 25,200 patients from 1987 to 2002, of which 24,331 underwent operations. The data for 14,828 patients were registered as complete and/or incomplete cleft and the proportions of unilateral to bilateral and female to male are presented in Table 1. Conclusion: This new database system was designed to ensure the accuracy of data input using a standard model that is capable of correct data programming using the custom designed coding system for the Craniofacial Center. The system also provides easy and reliable data retrieval when using the powerful search tools.