KEYWORDS:
State Immunization Information System (SIIS), Confidential Data Scrambling
BACKGROUND:
The statewide immunization information system (SIIS) collects data from hundreds of public and private health providers. Over time, SIIS Registries hold millions of patient records. The newly developed Web-based user interface, the integrated geographical information system (GIS), and the data warehouse and data mining technologies have greatly improved SIIS data access and data sharing capability, as well as provide more power in data analysis. At the same time, the complexity of the SIIS has been increasing. Because of this, a “real” SIIS training and testing environment will benefit both user training and strategic planning.
OBJECTIVE:
The objectives of SIIS Database Scrambler (SDS) are to provide
(1) A training and testing environment for SIIS users without disclosure of confidential data;
(2) An operational system with information integrity (the spatial and temporal patterns of vaccination records are ensured valid as before scrambling) without confidential data.
METHOD:
Using the existing data from the SIIS, the SDS is able to keep GIS map functionalities using the geo-coded data as well as keep the integrity of the vaccination records. The program has been developed to scramble all patient confidential data in different database tables. Here the ‘scramble’ means that the original confidential data fields are replaced while still keeping the data format valid. Further more, the table structures and dynamic relationship among tables are kept consistent. The developed program also backs up the original data.
RESULT:
The SDS makes the better use of existing data in the SIIS and provides a useful training and planning environment with the information integrity while protecting confidential patient data.
CONCLUSION:
The SDS could benefit both immunization registry and better preparedness.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
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Back to The Future is Now: Emerging Technologies
Back to The 2003 Immunization Registry Conference (October 27-29, 2003)