Poster

A computerized relational database has been utilized by Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, San Diego (SSC SD), to track the health status and inventory of marine mammals for many years. While allowing for annexation of some inventory statistics, health assessments, retrospective studies, preventive maintenance, and research support on marine mammals, the program is being expanded to incorporate current technological capabilities and processing capacity. This system is currently being upgraded from a program in DOS format using Paradox 4.5 software, to a Windows environment, and will operate via a custom designed program using MS Access software. The upgrade will provide for both increases in processing speed, and options for further growth and development. The new program integrates all of the components of the existing system, and will also include health history highlights, monthly kilocalorie intakes, specialized lab results, specimen bank inventories, and training and behavioral information. In addition, this program will provide the capability to include medical images [e.g., computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasonography, radiography, and endoscopy], digital photos and audio recordings. The much improved database will not only benefit clinical, behavioral and research efforts at SSC SD, but illustrates the process by which other marine mammal facilities, and the scientific community at large, may create or update their own databases, utilizing readily available, efficient, user-friendly applications.