KEYWORDS:
Registries, outbreak, pandemic, bioterrorism, tracking
BACKGROUND:
Emergency preparedness in the United States has typically been under the purview of fire, police and other emergency personnel. The anthrax scares of 2001 brought public health to the forefront, yet coordination and understanding between these diverse groups is still in its infancy.
Immunization registries have been tracking and predicting immunizations for nearly a decade, but emergency personnel are generally unaware of their existence and significance. New technologies such as smart card readers and the Internet have made registries even more user friendly and fast, and algorithms can easily be updated to include medications in emergencies.
OBJECTIVE(S):
To adapt registry technology to meet tracking needs during a public health emergency such as an outbreak, pandemic or bioterrorism event.
METHOD(S):
Hennepin County (the Minneapolis area) conducted a two-site mass distribution drill on June 14, 2002. Computers with smart card readers were used to register patients for a “meningitis outbreak.”
RESULT(S):
Smart card readers proved to be an efficient and accurate method of entering patient data quickly during a stressful and time-sensitive situation. However, manual data entry was needed for children or others without smart identification cards.
CONCLUSIONS(S):
Smart card readers incorporated into immunization registries are highly efficient at registering large numbers of people quickly and tracking the shots or medications given. Technologically layered systems, including paper, direct data entry and a PC version of the registry, are also needed.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Describe how registry technology can be used in public health emergencies. Follow up with emergency personnel in your jurisdiction to explain and promote registry use.
Back to Protect: Disease Surveillance — Part II
Back to Contributed Papers
Back to The 2002 Immunization Registry Conference of CDC