Connecting the Frontlines of Public Health Using Grid Technology

This computer demonstration will demonstrate a pilot project conducted by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and the Wyoming Department of Health (WDP) from April 2009 to August 2009. The goal of the pilot project is to apply Public Health Grid Technologies to facilitate the cross jurisdictional exchange of aggregate Nationally Notifiable Disease (NND) data using existing data repositories in the bordering states of Wyoming and Montana. Specifically, the pilot project focuses on providing local public health resources in bordering states the ability to electronically share aggregate NND data sets for bordering counties. The computer demonstration will simulate a local public health user in Wyoming requesting an aggregate NND data set of Foodborne illnesses collected in Montana over a 14 day period. Next, the computer demonstration will show attendees how the local public health user in Wyoming can visualize the requested data from Montana within their public health information management system. The computer demonstration will then review the mitigations to the technical and business obstacles encountered during the pilot. The computer demonstration will then review recommendations for local and state public health resources considering implementing Public Health Grid Technologies. The computer demonstration will conclude with a discussion on the reusable nature of the pilot project which promotes the strategic vision of the National Center for Public Health Informatics (NCPHI).