Pocket Computers in Critical Care-Reply

In Reply.— We agree partially with Dr Hanline. The price of true computers has decreased notably since we submitted our article. The purchase price of our system has decreased 40% in the last three years. Many computers are now available that could perform these functions for even less money. Unfortunately, many articles written about "computer" applications in the intensive care unit describe programs for programmable calculators. These devices, while inexpensive, do not function well in the intensive care unit. They are difficult to program and even more difficult to use. Indeed, we developed our computer project because of our unhappiness with programmable calculators. Last, although larger, a desk-top microcomputer does have a major advantage in our environment. It cannot disappear into someone's pocket.