Transcript U WA Public Health Advisors Course 1997

Informatics in Public Health
William A. Yasnoff, MD, PhD
Public Health Practice Program Office
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Public Health in 2010
DEMONSTRATION
Barriers to IT in Public Health
A. Information
B. Infrastructure
C. Informatics
A. Information
• Surveillance data
– Only 15-20% of reportable cases reported
– Delays of days to weeks
– Not typically in electronic form
• Other relevant data not electronically
available
–
–
–
–
Environmental, injury, etc.
Guidelines
Contacts
Training materials
Information: Work in Progress
• NEDSS = National Electronic Disease
Surveillance System
– Architectural elements
– Public health conceptual data model
• Knowledge management
– Preventioneffects.net
– Encoding of clinical guidelines
• Disseminate through EMRs
• Point-of-care reminders
B. Infrastructure
• Information technology
– Only 48.9% of local health departments
have high-speed continuous internet
connections (NACCHO, 1999)
• Workforce
– 83% of local health departments indicate
that computer training is a key need
(NACCHO, 1996)
Infrastructure: Work in Progress
• INPHO = Information Network for
Public Health Officials (state)
– Ending in FY2001
• HAN = Health Alert Network (local)
• Frist-Kennedy authorization
– Infrastructure standards/ assessment
– Preparedness of public health system
Health Alert Network Goals
Ensure communications capacity at all
local and state health departments (full
Internet connectivity, training)
 Ensure capacity to broadcast and receive
health alerts at every level
 Ensure capacity to receive distance
learning offerings for CDC, et al.

HAN & Local Centers for Public Health Preparedness
Funded Sites - FY 2000
WA
MT
OR
MN
ID
CA
UT
Map
Denver
Co.
Los Angeles
AZ
IA
NE
CO
WI
SD
WY
NV
VT NH
ND
KS
OK
NM
MO
AR
MI
Chicago
IL
IN
AK
HI
LA
PA
OH
WV
KY
VA
NY
MA
CT
NJ
DE
MD
NY City
RI
NC
TN
MS AL
TX
Monroe
Co.
ME
DeKalb
Co.
SC
GA
FL
HAN Cities (N=3)
Local CPHP counties (N=3)
HAN States (N=37)
Not funded
Communications Capacity
Equip all full-function local PH systems with:
 Improved Internet access
 55% now have continuous high-speed
Internet capacity
 Health alert broadcast capacity
 56% now have a system for sending
urgent health alerts
 Provide informatics training
 Develop critical information content
Email Capability
Map
Yes
No
Health Alert Broadcast System
Map
Yes
No
Distance Learning/Training

Distance learning capacity at
state/local public health agencies

82% of LHDs now have access to
satellite downlink within 30
minutes drive-time from work
Distance Learning Capability
Map
Yes
No
Distance Learning/Training
Transition to web-based distance learning
 Increased capacity at CDC
 Web-based informatics course
Training in bioterrorism preparedness
 USAMRIID/CDC course, BT Grand
Rounds, Role of Clinical Lab, et al.
Distance Learning/Training
Provide informatics training
 Annual Conference on Public Health
Informatics and Distance Learning
 Public Health Informatics course given
to 120 people, including most HAN
project managers
Website Development

Completed
CDC BT Preparedness and Response
Website (www.bt.cdc.gov)
 Health Alert Network Website
(www.phppo.cdc.gov/han)


Under Development
BT Emergency Response Restricted Website
 HAN Today Website

HAN Emergency
Notification System
Functions
 Rapidly alert key State Public Health
officials of bioterrorist events or other
emergent health threats via email and fax
 Provide official CDC communications to
key State Public Health officials during a
bioterrorist event via email and fax
HAN Plans for FY 2001




Expand web-based learner support system
Partner with HRSA to develop and disseminate
national standards for information and
communication systems needed in a BT
emergency
75% of full functioning LHDs have Internet
connectivity, 50% have broadcast alert
capability, and 80% have satellite-based
distance learning capacity
Disseminate a communications plan regarding
rapid relay of information
C. Informatics
• Definition: the systematic application of
computer & information science and
technology to public health practice,
research, and learning
• Management skills
– IT projects expensive and high risk
– Interdisciplinary teams required
– New skills needed by public health
managers
Public Health Informatics:
Developing a National Agenda
• Spring AMIA Meeting May 15-17, 2001 in Atlanta
(www.amia.org)
• Bringing together medical informatics and public
health communities
• Areas of focus: funding; architecture and
infrastructure; standards and vocabulary;
research, evaluation, and best practices; privacy,
confidentiality, and security; training/workforce
• Primary sponsor: RWJ Foundation
Informatics Training - 1
• Development of consensus competencies
– Meeting prior to Spring AMIA (Richards &
O’Carroll)
– Multiple tracks expected:
basic/managers/senior managers
– Goal is sample curriculum for SPH
• Book: Public Health Informatics and
Information Systems (Aspen Press, 2002)
– Suitable for teaching PHI
– Includes case studies
Public Health Informatics
Competency Categories
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Information Access
IT infrastructure view
Information system development
Networking & database design
Standards
Privacy, Confidentiality & Security
IT planning and procurement
IT leadership; managing change
Informatics Training - 2
• CDC short (3 day) course for public
health managers
– Developed in ’96-’97
– Interactive web version later this year
• CDC Fellowship
– Two year program started in ’96
– Still evolving
• Schools of Public Health
– Courses (at least 11 now; more planned)
– Degree programs in early stages
Informatics in Public Health:
The Future
• Information Access
– Databases
– Knowledge management
• Information Systems
– Effective management
– Improved productivity
• Surveillance integrated with EMR
• Feedback to providers
For Further Information
• William A. Yasnoff, MD, PhD
770/488-2503
[email protected]