The technology of PROMIS

A network of computers supports many high-speed terminals equipped with touch-sensitive screens. Users make selections on frames displayed at these terminals to interact with a large data base of medical guidance and patient records while performing patient care. Rapid response times for selections (most are processed in about 230 ms) result from a high-speed communications line, a tailor-made programming language, and enhancements to the off-the-shelf operating and file systems. A PROMIS has been used for patient care on a hospital ward for several years with almost no down time.