“…The essential characteristics of an MIS include: (a) flexible systems that meet changing needs for information collection, manipulation, and retrieval, (b) systems that foster linkages to databases, peripheral technologies, or systems within other care settings, (c) systems that commu-nicate with centralized databases that establish norms, set standards, and evaluate client outcomes, (d) systems with language that is user friendly, (e) outputs that are presented in variable formats, (f) security and confidentiality of data, and (g) reliable systems (Amann, 1994).…”