The Computer - Based Obfile Perinatal Reporting System.

Abstract Perinatology is a field whose record keeping is organized around a central, predictable event (i.e., the birth of an infant). This has allowed us to develop a self contained, well functioning data base system for the records associated with perinatal care. Parts of the OBFILE system have been functioning since 1978 at Chicago Lying-in Hospital, with the newborn sections completed in 1980. This paper describes the modular nature of the system and explains how the system was designed for user acceptance. The problem oriented prenatal record and the concept of a core mini- record are highlighted.