Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of this presentation participants will be able to:
1. Identify benefits that electronic patient management application interfaces offer to providers participating in an immunization registry
2. Understand the public health value of connecting provider electronic patient management systems to immunization registries



Background:
In the Greater Houston Metropolitan Area, providers may enroll in the Houston-Harris County Immunization Registry (HHCIR), which is a web-based, confidential registry facilitating information exchange among providers in the community. HHCIR is a powerful tool for providers in the Houston area to improve the low immunization rates. However, barriers such as dual data entry, limited staff time, and limited time for training, prevent providers from enrolling in immunization registries. Application interfaces offer a solution to these barriers through the seamless transfer of immunization records from electronic patient data management systems to the registries.


Setting:
Provider offices in the Houston-Harris County area


Population:
Providers who use electronic patient management systems in their practices and choose to participate in HHCIR.


Project Description:
HHCIR has increased registry utilization through the development of four application interfaces to commonly used patient management systems in Houston: Logician, Quick Recovery, Medisoft, and Misys. Development and implementation of the first two interfaces connected the Houston Department of Health and Human Services and Texas Children's Hospital to HHCIR. Interfaces to Medisoft and Misys were developed to benefit providers in the community. We will discuss the collaboration necessary to procure funding and technical expertise to plan, develop, install and implement application interfaces.


Results/Lessons Learned:
Through this project, we have established partnerships with key stakeholders to identify and access financial resources necessary to develop interfaces. We will report lessons learned throughout the process, the number of records that have been transferred to HHCIR through the interfaces, and post-implementation provider survey results.