Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 10:35 AM
1

Plotting Immunization Data with Maps and Graphs

BACKGROUND:
Contra Costa Automated Immunization Registry (CCAIR) was developed using Microsoft dot-NET compilers and SQL Server. While text-based systems with characters and numerical values are good at delivering certain values such as the display of textual information as originally entered as well as the aggregations and derivations of them, other forms of presentation such as graphs and maps could deliver new and additional values.

OBJECTIVE:
To leverage data sets captured in immunization registries and other case and disease management systems using today's database technology, and turn some of these into pictorial presentations for visual effects, management tools and other forms of communications. Possible uses include graphing the distribution of the under-immunized, plotting the occurrence of certain diseases, events of special interest or real-time tracking the location of a mobile work force.

METHOD:
Using MapPoint Web Service and Location Server, new technologies from Microsoft, and the existing patient data from the CCAIR database, pictorial presentations were created. The Geo-Codes are provided by the MapPoint Web Service, which acts like a query service over the Internet. The physical locations of the mobile devices are provided by the individual service providers and maintained by the Location Server.

RESULT:
Pictures allows visualization of distributions and spatial relationships.

CONCLUSION:
There are other ways to view data, possibly better than text-based systems, that do not incur huge development cost.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
To improve values delivered by immunization registry by using technologies previously not available at reasonable cost.

  Recorded presentation

See more of Immunization Tracking in a Mobile Culture
See more of The 2004 Immunization Registry Conference