BACKGROUND:
Keeping track of the activities of an immunization program that has a registry, requires keeping track of many different data elements. Data from an immunization registry can provide the immunization program with critical information for decision support.

OBJECTIVE:
Illustrate how the development and use of information systems can track the activities of a registry, improve program success, and assist in keeping important data at hand. Discuss the benefits and implications of information system integration.

METHOD:
The Philadelphia Department of Public Health's Immunization Program has developed multiple databases in Microsoft Access that support program operations. The databases: track identifying information for participating medical providers in Philadelphia; record contacts with these provider sites; monitor data submissions from sites; produce summary statistics from data submissions; track the data entry quality of submissions; produce information on UTD rates for sites; produce listings of children who are not UTD for specific sites; and assist VFC in monitoring immunization coverage, and vaccine ordering and usage.

RESULT:
Originally, one database was designed only to record demographic information about City medical providers and to track marketing contacts. Over time, additional uses were created for the database. Additional databases were also created, and some were given the ability to interface with the registry. Today, these multiple databases are used to assess the progress of our overall program, and to make process decisions for our team.

CONCLUSION:
These data sources provide valuable assistance for the immunization program. We are currently working on future enhancements to our databases, including integration of their functions. Integration presents its own set of challenges, as we consider the implications of combining disparate data sets, and security and usage issues that come with a combined system.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Understand how the use of database technology can assist an immunization program. Understand the issues regarding integration of systems.