BACKGROUND:
In 2004, the state of West Virginia initiated an effort to integrate WVSIIS (Immunization Registry) and WVEDSS (Communicable Disease Reporting). This effort required a single sign on solution using the PHIN Public Health Directory standard (phindir) to allow the applications to share a single set of user information.

OBJECTIVE:
The purpose of developing this solution was to streamline and simplify user management for both applications and create a data set that had value beyond simple user authentication. The vision of the PHIN Public Health Directory is to make comprehensive and accurate contact information available to individuals and other public health systems.

METHOD:
An LDAP server acts as the public health directory and utilizes a schema based on PHIN standards. A stand-alone single sign on application authenticates users against the directory and assigns users to individual applications. Finally, WVSIIS and WVEDSS accept authentication information from single sign on and retrieve user contact information from the directory.

RESULT:
Single sign on and the public health directory provide streamlined user management for all participating applications. The additional value of accurate contact information of health professionals can not be overlooked. This data has applications beyond registries and can be used in many different areas of public health.

CONCLUSION:
Single sign on and the public health directory are two concepts that work very well together. Single sign on gives a real, daily purpose to the directory that can be leveraged to keep its data accurate and complete. Additional applications can benefit from single sign on through reduced user maintenance and, in turn, will raise the level of quality of the Directory.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Workshop attendees will learn the importance of the public health directory and how implementing single sign on can streamline the process of user maintenance.