An information system for measuring patient behavior and its use by staff.

O'leary et al. (1969) built a paper-and-pencil point-economy chart for a hospital ward.

Staff gave patients plastic tokens for tasks. They wrote totals on a big daily graph.

The graph hung at the nurses’ station so every shift could see ups and downs.

The authors only describe the tool. They do not give patient outcome numbers.

Staff said the wall graph helped them spot problems “at a glance.”

Jenkins et al. (1973) kept the same idea but swapped the wall graph for a pocket-size matrix sheet. One sheet now held tokens, time-sample counts, and running balances.

Gil et al. (2016) proved the concept works. Graphic feedback plus goal setting lifted staff data-collection compliance in a large facility.

Sleeper et al. (2017) leapfrogged paper entirely. Their electronic system gave 100% up-to-date graphs with no extra staff hours and a 59% five-year ROI. The 1969 manual method is therefore obsolete for big programs, yet its core lesson—show data to staff daily—remains valid.

Even if you use tablets today, the 1969 takeaway still drives results: turn raw counts into pictures staff see every day. Pin a printed graph on the wall, set a weekly goal, and watch compliance rise—no tech budget needed.