BACKGROUND:
In October 2002, the CDC issued post smallpox event planning guidance which specifically addressed how the state and local health departments intend to vaccinate their communities. The Atlantic Management Center (AMCI), contracted with the Ohio Department of Health to develop and pilot a wireless portable electronic data entry and documentation system designed to streamline the smallpox vaccination process and transmit the data to the statewide immunization registry.

OBJECTIVE:
To develop a portable vaccination system that would document administration of the Vaccinia vaccine.

METHOD:
Utilizing wireless technology and two-dimensional bar coding software, Ohio will have the ability to scan the unique identifying information of the vaccine recipient directly into the web-enabled registry. The scanning of driver’s license and medical identification numbers are done by multi-purpose handheld Pocket PCs. For those individuals who are not candidates for scanning, the registry is equipped with a mass inoculation module that allows for the streamlined capture of the vaccination data that is also integrated with Ohio's Immunization Registry. The solution is designed to capture essential health care information on each patient receiving the smallpox vaccine and send the information to CDC in a standardized format using HL7 messaging. This system was piloted by Franklin, Newark, Deleware and Marion counties in Ohio during the pre-event vaccination campaign in 2003.

RESULT:
512 of the 1,921 people vaccinated in Ohio were documented utilizing this system. The technology was easy to use, expandable and portable, increased the accuracy of the data documented and decreased amount of time each vaccinee spent at the clinic.

CONCLUSION:
Technology is vital when implementing mass immunization clinics.
Technology should supplement a clinic process not dictate it.
Barcoding and scanning can expedite the vaccination process.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. To see how technology can be utilized in a BT solution.
2. Determine what is involved in a portable wireless vaccination system.