INTRODUCTION In a world where the local "discount city" maintains an on-line, real-time inventory system, where current stock quotes are just a click away on everyone's web-browser, and where practically anyone and everyone can become an instant "expert" on nearly anything simply by playing around on the Internet, it seems as though the U.S. healthcare system could do something more with information. The United States has some of the top healthcare facilities in the world. But, as far as information goes, it has been slow to institute automated systems.
