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Tuesday, March 22, 2005
137

Pennsylvania Vaccine Management Using the Statewide Immunization Information System

Harryl Allen1, Nancy Mumper1, Cornelia Schneck1, Mary Knowlton2, Lance Farmer3, and Kobie Shaffer4. (1) Division of Immunizations, Pennsylvania Department of Health, N 7th & Forster Streets, 1026 H&W Bldg, Harrisburg, PA, USA, (2) PA Vaccines for Children Program, 225 Grandview Avenue, Camp Hill, PA, USA, (3) Division of Staistical Registries, Pennsylvania Department of Health, 555 Walnut Street, Harrisburg, PA, USA, (4) Bureau of Health Statistics and Research, PA Department of Health, 555 Walnut ST, 6th FL, Harrisburg, PA, USA


BACKGROUND:
Pennsylvania's Immunization Program staff and the Statewide Immunization Information System (SIIS) staff collaborated to develop and augment the methods by which vaccines are managed and tracked in Pennsylvania. These methods further facilitated the integration of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Immunization Program's (NIP) VACMAN software with the inventory management and tracking function of the SIIS. As a result, a universal electronic vaccine ordering system was developed and implemented that meets both the Immunization program and SIIS goals. These goals include but are not limited to optimum operation guidelines and effective functioning of the Pennsylvania's vaccine delivery system.

OBJECTIVE:
To improve Pennsylvania's vaccine management and accountability through integration of a seamless electronic vaccine management system utilizing the CDC/NIP VACMAN software and the Pennsylvania SIIS

METHOD:
The development of the electronic vaccine management system process involved the creation of an electronic ordering process that provides: 1) unique forms for public and private immunization sites; 2) secure ordering fields; and 3) restricted ordering quantities for specific vaccines. An electronic ordering form was developed that allows participating providers to place vaccine orders electronically through e-mail. This newly implemented procedure along with existing PA SIIS monitoring techniques allows for: 1) accurate inventory tracking; 2) individual dose tracking; 3) reconciliation of inventory on a monthly basis; 4) notification of vaccine shipments to providers; and classification of vaccine according to the appropriate funding source (i.e. VFC STD, etc.).

RESULT:
The collaboration between the Immunization program and the SIIS resulted in staff efficiency, elimination of paper based ordering system, elimination of lost/misplaced orders, reduction in erroneous vaccine lot numbers and elimination of duplicating inventory orders.

CONCLUSION:
This new application greatly enhances the collaboration between program offices and vastly improves the accountability for all immunizations and overall customer satisfaction.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
To improve accountability and efficient performance in the vaccine management system.

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