Abstract
A program concept, which uses click and point technology, was developed that allows complex data entry with only a mouse (or reduced number of keys if a mouse is not available) and minimal keyboard use. Instead of menus, the data, itself, becomes a context sensitive pointer to the next screen wherever possible. The primary purpose was to create a prototype that minimizes the amount of training necessary for medical center personnel to use it. While this program used a labor and delivery suite as an example, it could be extended to any type of data entry including history and physicals or progress notes in virtually any specialty.
The program was written in C and the data, screens, and data dictionary are all stored in arrays. When a screen selection is made, the program checks the screen array to determine if data is entered, a message is displayed or another screen is displayed. This makes the concept relatively independent of the application.
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