Medline Database a Valuable Use of Time

Medline may be a database to “fritter away the hours” with (“Wasting Time With Problem Patients,” June 21), but your readers should know that it is a lot more than that.

Medline is a highly regarded, authoritative electronic index to medical literature, developed and maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, and it has been in use for more than 30 years--long before the Internet existed. Its content has saved lives, improved care and provided answers to important questions posed by researchers and health-care professionals. It is of inestimable value to the world health-care community.

--SALLY KILBY, RN, MS

Medical librarian

California Hospital Medical Center

Los Angeles