Preventing the forgotten ureteral stent: implementation of a web-based stent registry with automatic recall application.

Objectives: To describe and analyze a unique computerized system that tracks ureteral stents and automatically sends a notice by e-mail to clinical staff if a stent becomes overdue for removal.

Methods: We have developed an electronic stent register (ESR) and stent extraction reminder facility (SERF) located within our hospital computer network. After stent insertion, a stent "episode" is created in the ESR with a mandatory maximal stent life (MSL).