BACKGROUND:
The Louisiana statewide immunization registry (LINKS) is a fully operational web-based system. The success of the system for childhood vaccination tracking has led the immunization program to evolve the capacity of LINKS to include capabilities such as first responder tracking and more recently, the addition of mass immunization (MI) capabilities. The first test of the MI module came with the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) Drill conducted in March of 2004.

OBJECTIVE:
During the planning phase of the SNS Drill it was agreed to test the MI capabilities of LINKS in the collection of demographic data and medical intervention activities for the simulated outbreak of plague. After observing the results of paper data collection in similar drill scenario in a different state, it was hypothesized that electronic data collection would be advantageous over paper counting and reporting. Specifically the intent was to provide real-time reporting on numbers of patients served and to monitor the inventory of medications distributed to the parish health units from the stockpile.
The objective of this presentation is to report on the results of the electronic versus paper data reporting methods.

METHOD:
Electronic reporting and aggregation of SNS drill results.

RESULT:
The presentation will illustrate (this abstract is being submitted prior to the date of the SNS Drill) the numbers of patients seen at each of the four parish health units during the simulation and the success of real-time, or near real-time electronic reporting of patient interventions and medication inventory.

CONCLUSION:
The conclusions based on the drill outcome will either validate or not validate the usefulness and economy of electronic reporting in abnormally high volume, and perhaps stressful clinic situations.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Participants will gain an understanding of the requirements for enhancing the SIIS to include MI capabilities as well as the results of data collection efforts for the Louisiana SNS Drill.