Epidemiological Uses of an Occupational Health Information System
Abstract
The Navy Occupational Health Information Management System (NOHIMS) was designed to carry out provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and Department of Defense directives in order to help insure a safe and healthful work environment for Navy industrial workers. A prototype system is currently being tested at two large naval industrial facilities. The primary functions of NOHIMS are to identify workers exposed to environmental hazards; schedule exposed workers for periodic examinations; provide exposure histories and recommended tests; store and manage personnel, medical, and environmental data; generate management reports, and compile standardized data for epidemiologic analyses. NOHIMS consists of two subsystems, an Occupational Health Component and a Medical Component, which can operate separately or as one system. Three types of data are required: personnel data, environmental data (industrial hygiene surveys), and medical data. The raw data are evaluated by means of reference tables which point to appropriate actions. NOHIMS then generates pertinent reports for principal users of the system. NOHIMS uses the MUMPS language which affords great flexibility, user friendliness, and extensive cross-referencing of data elements. These special features of NOHIMS make it a powerful tool for epidemiologic analysis, assessment of risk factors, and detection of disease.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA154090
Entities
People
- E. K.Eric Gunderson
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center