A simple and cost-effective diabetic clinic database

Computerised diabetes clinic databases are considered to be vital for properly organised care, but setting up such systems may be impeded by financial and manpower shortages. During a recent 12 month period, a research nurse in our Diabetes Centre abstracted demographic, medical and risk factor data onto a standard pro forma, before each clinic. The data were entered onto a public domain computer database. Data were obtained on a total of 3132 patients, 46% female, mean (SD) age 57±15 years, and mean (SD) duration of diabetes 9.2 (9.1) years. Eighty-five per cent had type 2 and 15% had type 1 diabetes; 33% were on insulin treatment, 25% diet and 42% tablets. Data extraction took a mean of 3.2 minutes, and entry 2.0 minutes per case. The total manpower cost was £0.85 per patient, estimated costs for setting up the whole database were £3900, and annual maintenance costs are £1200. An effective and useful clinic computer database can be set up cheaply and easily.