KEYWORDS:
Collaboration, software development, process improvement.
BACKGROUND:
New York State, challenged with the administration of the VFC program, worked with a consulting firm to review business processes associated with VFC provider ordering and distribution. As part of the study, VACMAN software was reviewed for ease of use, accountability, control and interfacing with registries. Functional requirement and design changes to VACMAN were documented and shared with CDC. A collaboration between CDC and NYS led to VACMAN enhancements to streamline order processing, add systems controls for vaccine distribution, system accountability and a framework to interface with immunization registries.
OBJECTIVE:
Demonstrate how collaboration between state and federal entities plays a key role in system design and development yielding software that improves process and strengthens controls in management of the VFC program, and prepares the path for an interface with immunization registries.
METHOD:
Assessment of VFC provider ordering process included structured software methodologies of “Use Case”, Functional Requirements, and Functional Design prior to beginning of any software development effort.
RESULT:
New York State has successfully implemented a new version of VACMAN, reducing cost through a streamlined order processing and tighter controls on the distribution of vaccine, and provided a framework for interfacing the VACMAN software with the NYS registries.
CONCLUSION:
Partnership between different programs leads to stronger software product improving process, reducing cost and increasing flexibility to integrate across programs.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
To better understand how a strong collaboration between Federal and State agencies can compliment each other and help each of them accomplish their individual and collective goals.
Back to Immunization Registries and Vaccine Supply Management
Back to The 2003 Immunization Registry Conference (October 27-29, 2003)