LESSON 4
INDIVIDUAL PATIENT DATA SYSTEM
Section I. GENERAL
4-1.
PURPOSE OF THE INDIVIDUAL PATIENT DATA SYSTEM
a. The Individual Patient Data System (IPDS) is a computer-oriented collection
of demographic and medical data on inpatients treated by the Army Medical Department
(AMEDD). Also included are other cases of sufficient interest that require reporting as
carded for record only (CRO) and data on active duty Army personnel treated in an
absent sick status in nonmilitary medical treatment facilities (MTFs). Authority and
responsibility to operate the IPDS are prescribed in AR 40-400.
b. The IPDS provides the following:
(1) Data for planning, managing, and evaluating the AMEDD medical care
system at Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA), major Army command
(MACOM) headquarters, and individual MTF levels.
(2) Data for medical and epidemiological research.
(3) Rapid data retrieval in response to inquiries from HQDA, Medical
Command (HSC), Office of The Surgeon General (OTSG), other DA components,
Department of Defense (DOD), Congress, Federal agencies, and other authorized
organizations and individuals.
(4) Management reports and retrieval of special data for the hospital
commander and his staff.
4-2.
IPDS HANDBOOK
Information in this lesso n is taken from the Individual Patient Data System (IPDS)
User's Manual published by the Patient Administration Systems and Biostatistics
Activity, U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
The IPDS User's Manual contains detailed procedures and instructions for processing
medical information extracted from inpatient treatment records into a prescribed format
for the IPDS. It also provides a description of output reports produced by the IPDS.
4-3.
EXPLANATION OF TERMS
There are terms associated with the Admissions and Dispositions (AAD) forms
that will be used throughout this lesson. It will be to your advantage to become familiar
with the following terms:
MD0753
4-2