An automated storage and retrieval system for clinical pharmaceutical research documents

The Medical Information Center of Schering Corporation is the central depository for all original clinical documents. The Clinical Documentation Section of the Center has developed an automated document storage and retrieval system capable of generating indexes to all documents in the system, summaries, and reports for management by computer. Documents are indexed and stored according to a project-product oriented classification scheme and the resulting citations reduced to tab cards for computer input. Citation master files are updated daily, and cumulative outputs are issued. Major system sources are completely updated and generated monthly by computer and include a patient document citation index, keyword index, file index, and patient document log book. Many special outputs are issued upon request. Other system functions include providing documents for F.D.A. submissions and the maintenance of a grant-reporting system capable of generating financial and clinical status reports by computer. The system services all company divisions engaged in clinical research and offers complete and immediate availability, accessibility, and security of documents and information.