The role of ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) in computer information standards for medicine.

The computer is a valuable tool for processing information and knowledge in medicine. Its ability to store, correlate, display, and transfer vast amounts of information rapidly and economically has already greatly impacted medicine. As the standards needed to connect the diverse parts of the current systems are put into place, future capabilities will be even more significant and encompassing. With these standards will come the ability to readily draw diverse information together for appropriate display, analysis, and interpretation. Good standards are essential for the continuation of the computer revolution in medicine.