Use of a statewide Maternal and Child Health Information Network

The Maternal and Child Health Information Network (MATCH) contains numerous data elements. The process of converting these data into information is an essential component of comprehensive management information system planning. This process must address not only the end-user mechanics of data retrieval, but also the framework for how data can be used in program administration. Although potential data use contributes to and may in fact drive system design, the reality of integrating computer and data usage into daily activities presents a different set of challenges in system implementation. For both state and local end-users, barriers to system use had to be addressed. In terms of directing system use, it was helpful to provide a format for categorizing data needs. The broad categories of data needs identified for program administration were planning, research, evaluation, management, and collaboration. Numerous initiatives have evolved for each of these categories.     

Randomised study of prophylactic parenteral sulbactam/ampicillin and cephazolin in biliary surgery: significant benefit in jaundiced patients

Two hundred consecutive patients undergoing biliary-tract surgery were entered into a randomized trial of prophylactic single dose cephazolin or sulbactam/ampicillin. There was no overall difference in the infection rates between the two antibiotic groups, but in the group of patients with jaundice there was an excess of wound infections in the cephazolin group compared to the sulbactam/ampicillin group (35% vs. 14%). We conclude that sulbactam/ampicillin is a satisfactory prophylactic agent for use in biliary-tract surgical sepsis, and that it may be superior to cephazolin in jaundiced patients.