pertinent information about his patients and the hospital at his finger tips.

Dr. John Patton, who was recently named to the three-year post, said he believed the introduction of a laboratory computer data retrieval system would be a success at the hospital.

And he said his computer at his Point Finger Road, Paget office was in the process of being linked to the hospital system.

Although he admitted that such a link-up will involve "out-of-pocket'' expenses for doctors who use it, Dr. Patton said the advantages outweighed the costs.

"It beats carrying around important paperwork,'' he said.

Hospitals Board executive director Mrs. Sheila Manderson agreed.

While noting that the hospital is still in the process of implementing the Physicians Access system, she said: "It will be much more convenient and faster if doctors or the hospital wants to access information.'' The $4.2 million GTE/SMS (Shared Medical Systems) computer system will also link the medical hospital with St. Brendan's.

Staff from both hospitals and the Bermuda Hospitals Boards opted for the GTE/SMS system after 17 companies responded to their initial request two years ago.

Benefits of the system, currently used in hospitals in the UK and the US, include faster processing of patients, quicker access to medical history, increased accuracy, shorter patient stays, improved billing, reduced costs and more time for patient care.