Learning Objectives for this Presentation:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to:
1) Identify partners that can benefit from utilization of an IIS for preparedness/response activities
2) Identify partners with funding sources that can help sustain and evolve the IIS


Background:
The Wyoming Immunization Registry (WyIR) was implemented in 1999 and contains over 240,000 patients (half of the state's population) and 2.3 million vaccinations. With CRA, VMBIP and PHIN certification looming and program funds diminishing, Wyoming is looking outside of the box to meet requirements for a preparedness solution. WyIR staff have approached various partners to explore opportunities for building WyIR beyond its current immunization base to become a more comprehensive preparedness, surveillance and response application. Potential stakeholders include bioterrorism, pandemic influenza, HRSA, pharmacies and schools.

Setting:
Ongoing stakeholder meetings.

Population:
All programs/agencies involved with preparedness and response activities.

Project Description:
Recent discussion includes evolving WyIR to track medications and inventories, perform surveillance of school/daycare attendance, track OTC pharmacy sales, monitor critical hospital resources and ICD-9 Codes, identify high-risk groups as needed and monitor antibiotic adverse events. If successfully leveraged and implemented, Wyoming would have a comprehensive and integrated solution to identify the emergence/pre-emergence of an outbreak, prepare lists of affected patients/contacts, respond with countermeasures and services, and create meaningful reports for use during and after the response effort.

Results/Lessons Learned:
The benefits of using WyIR as the base for this effort include:
• Integrated solution operating on a single platform
• Database well-populated with existing patients and demographics
• Large number of users already trained and familiar with the user interface
• Application is supported under a maintenance contract that includes technical support and customization of application(s)
The efforts of the Wyoming Immunization Program provide a model of partnership and collaboration to develop cost-effective solutions for addressing the needs of multiple programs/agencies related to public health preparedness/response.