STC Blog
January 2012 Blog Entries
Vaccine Information Statement Update
Freddie Barber – Public Health Advisor/Data Exchange Coordinator
On Wednesday I received an automatic update concerning Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). There are currently 20 different VIS covering at least 22 vaccine preventable diseases, single and combination vaccines. Six of the 20 VIS had new publication dates. By Federal law, all vaccine providers must give patients, or their parents or legal representative, the appropriate Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) whenever a vaccination is given. (See http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/vis-news.htm). A lot of providers who give vaccine to clients, especially those providers who only give privately purchased vaccine vs. government vaccine know nothing of the VIS. The regulation states that all providers of vaccines, both public and private, must give VIS to all clients receiving immunizations.
Posted on: January 23, 2012 | Read More...
November 2011 Blog EntriesFreddie Barber – Public Health Advisor/Data Exchange Coordinator
On Wednesday I received an automatic update concerning Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). There are currently 20 different VIS covering at least 22 vaccine preventable diseases, single and combination vaccines. Six of the 20 VIS had new publication dates. By Federal law, all vaccine providers must give patients, or their parents or legal representative, the appropriate Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) whenever a vaccination is given. (See http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/vis-news.htm). A lot of providers who give vaccine to clients, especially those providers who only give privately purchased vaccine vs. government vaccine know nothing of the VIS. The regulation states that all providers of vaccines, both public and private, must give VIS to all clients receiving immunizations.
Posted on: January 23, 2012 | Read More...
Update from The Healing Hands Foundation Trip in Guatemala
Jennifer Simpson - Lead Epidemiologist
Two members of the STC Public Health team, Jennifer Simpson and Chrissie Twomey, are currently in Guatemala on a mission trip with the Healing Hands Foundation. Below is an update from them as they begin their work. For more information about The Healing Hands Foundation, visit http://www.thhfoundation.org/.
Chrissie and I have been enjoying our work, as well as the Guatemalan culture. We have been hard at work getting information on all the patients seen by Healing Hands, including information such as gender, age, hometown, weight, height and blood work. It's interesting how far some of the patients have traveled to get surgery here.
Posted on: November 14, 2011 | Read More...
October Blog EntriesJennifer Simpson - Lead Epidemiologist
Two members of the STC Public Health team, Jennifer Simpson and Chrissie Twomey, are currently in Guatemala on a mission trip with the Healing Hands Foundation. Below is an update from them as they begin their work. For more information about The Healing Hands Foundation, visit http://www.thhfoundation.org/.
Chrissie and I have been enjoying our work, as well as the Guatemalan culture. We have been hard at work getting information on all the patients seen by Healing Hands, including information such as gender, age, hometown, weight, height and blood work. It's interesting how far some of the patients have traveled to get surgery here.
Posted on: November 14, 2011 | Read More...
At the 2011 Greater China eHealth Forum
Xiaohui Zhang - Chief Scientist
I am currently in Hong Kong for the Greater China eHealth Forum 2011. The forum is a joint effort among Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, initiated by CHIMA and eHC. It is aimed at raising the awareness of eHealth and health informatics while promoting eHealth development and project collaboration. The eHealth Forum is a platform for introducing new technologies and international standards and encouraging cooperation between domestic and foreign regions on medical informatics and internationalization of standards.
Posted on: October 6, 2011 | Read More...
September Blog EntriesXiaohui Zhang - Chief Scientist
I am currently in Hong Kong for the Greater China eHealth Forum 2011. The forum is a joint effort among Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, initiated by CHIMA and eHC. It is aimed at raising the awareness of eHealth and health informatics while promoting eHealth development and project collaboration. The eHealth Forum is a platform for introducing new technologies and international standards and encouraging cooperation between domestic and foreign regions on medical informatics and internationalization of standards.
Posted on: October 6, 2011 | Read More...
STC Joins New Mexico’s Clinical Prevention Initiative
Todd Watkins - Senior Vice President/Managing Partner
I recently joined the Clinical Prevention Initiative (CPI), a collaboration of the New Mexico Medical Society (NMMS) and the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). CPI’s goal is to improve the quality and enhance the delivery of clinical preventive services in the state of New Mexico. In my first meeting I found myself among doctors, professors, state health officials, and executives from pharmaceutical companies, MCOs, and insurance companies. I felt a little out of place considering I was the lone representative from the technology / software world, was likely the least educated, and was the only one wearing a suit. Fortunately the focus of this particular workgroup of CPI was on immunizations – a comfortable topic that eased my insecurity and allowed me to jump right in.
Posted on: September 12, 2011 | Read More...
August Blog EntriesTodd Watkins - Senior Vice President/Managing Partner
I recently joined the Clinical Prevention Initiative (CPI), a collaboration of the New Mexico Medical Society (NMMS) and the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH). CPI’s goal is to improve the quality and enhance the delivery of clinical preventive services in the state of New Mexico. In my first meeting I found myself among doctors, professors, state health officials, and executives from pharmaceutical companies, MCOs, and insurance companies. I felt a little out of place considering I was the lone representative from the technology / software world, was likely the least educated, and was the only one wearing a suit. Fortunately the focus of this particular workgroup of CPI was on immunizations – a comfortable topic that eased my insecurity and allowed me to jump right in.
Posted on: September 12, 2011 | Read More...
Immunization Records through Smartphones and Tablets - Clinician Support and Parent Access
Michael Popovich - President/CEO
Deborah Allwes – STC Senior Public Health Specialist and Project Manager
Over the past decade Immunization registries have evolved from desktop computers to client servers to web-based supported systems. Functionality has evolved from simply capturing patient demographics and administered vaccines to systems that provide clinical decision support, vaccine ordering/management, and population risk assessments. Progressive registries even have the capability to capture vaccine preventable diseases and provide reminder recall/alerting. Information contained in most state immunization registries begins at birth and in many cases extends the full lifespan of the individual. These are population based systems that have been developed, implemented, and modernized through the evaluation of information technology. Scientific Technologies Corporation’s state-based immunization registries alone, which represent one quarter of the US states, currently support the vaccine histories of over 22 million individuals.
Posted on: August 22, 2011 | Read More...
July Blog EntriesMichael Popovich - President/CEO
Deborah Allwes – STC Senior Public Health Specialist and Project Manager
Over the past decade Immunization registries have evolved from desktop computers to client servers to web-based supported systems. Functionality has evolved from simply capturing patient demographics and administered vaccines to systems that provide clinical decision support, vaccine ordering/management, and population risk assessments. Progressive registries even have the capability to capture vaccine preventable diseases and provide reminder recall/alerting. Information contained in most state immunization registries begins at birth and in many cases extends the full lifespan of the individual. These are population based systems that have been developed, implemented, and modernized through the evaluation of information technology. Scientific Technologies Corporation’s state-based immunization registries alone, which represent one quarter of the US states, currently support the vaccine histories of over 22 million individuals.
Posted on: August 22, 2011 | Read More...
The Return of Vaccine Preventable Diseases
Todd Commyn - Director of Marketing and Sales
Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) are clearly making a comeback. In just the past several years, doctors have seen significant outbreaks of diseases once thought to be all but eradicated here in the United States. Diseases such as mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), and measles are back to the alarm of public health professionals across the country.
Posted on: July 12, 2011 | Read More...
Todd Commyn - Director of Marketing and Sales
Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs) are clearly making a comeback. In just the past several years, doctors have seen significant outbreaks of diseases once thought to be all but eradicated here in the United States. Diseases such as mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), and measles are back to the alarm of public health professionals across the country.
Posted on: July 12, 2011 | Read More...
Experiences and Takeaways from Sierra Leone Mission
Jennifer Simpson - Lead Epidemiologist
From a public health perspective, Sierra Leone has many challenges. Some of the most evident issues that I observed have much to do with the overall level of poverty and quality of life of its citizens.
I suspect that some items and supplies donated to healthcare facilities may be sold and bartered on the street as opposed to being used on patients. It's frustrating to wonder if the donations left behind will be used for their intended purposes. However, eventually those medical supplies would be used SOMEWHERE, I would think, where ever they end up. But patients without money would not be able to afford them anymore.
Posted on: July 7, 2011 | Read More...
June Blog EntriesJennifer Simpson - Lead Epidemiologist
From a public health perspective, Sierra Leone has many challenges. Some of the most evident issues that I observed have much to do with the overall level of poverty and quality of life of its citizens.
I suspect that some items and supplies donated to healthcare facilities may be sold and bartered on the street as opposed to being used on patients. It's frustrating to wonder if the donations left behind will be used for their intended purposes. However, eventually those medical supplies would be used SOMEWHERE, I would think, where ever they end up. But patients without money would not be able to afford them anymore.
Posted on: July 7, 2011 | Read More...
Update from Sierra Leone
Jennifer Simpson - Lead Epidemiologist
I made it to SL safe and sound and on time. Flights were amazingly seamless, for once! Airport was mayhem but got myself to the "ferry" to cross the bay that separates the airport from the hotel. I was told that although it's only a few miles, going by car takes 2-3 hours when it should take 15min. I can however now attest that this is actually true after taking the bus in to the hospital this morning with the crew.
Posted on: June 27, 2011 | Read More...
May Blog EntriesJennifer Simpson - Lead Epidemiologist
I made it to SL safe and sound and on time. Flights were amazingly seamless, for once! Airport was mayhem but got myself to the "ferry" to cross the bay that separates the airport from the hotel. I was told that although it's only a few miles, going by car takes 2-3 hours when it should take 15min. I can however now attest that this is actually true after taking the bus in to the hospital this morning with the crew.
Posted on: June 27, 2011 | Read More...
Public Health Outcomes Will be Positively Affected by mHealth Innovations
Ryan Watkins - Marketing
Wikipedia defines mHealth as “the practice of medicine and public health supported by mobile devices.” The main application of mHealth revolves around collecting and distributing community and clinical health data. As health information technology (HIT) continues to evolve, mHealth has emerged as a sub-segment of eHealth and continues to be viewed as a viable solution to improving public health all over the world.
Posted on: May 18, 2011 | Read More...
Ryan Watkins - Marketing
Wikipedia defines mHealth as “the practice of medicine and public health supported by mobile devices.” The main application of mHealth revolves around collecting and distributing community and clinical health data. As health information technology (HIT) continues to evolve, mHealth has emerged as a sub-segment of eHealth and continues to be viewed as a viable solution to improving public health all over the world.
Posted on: May 18, 2011 | Read More...
Immunization Information Systems (IIS) and Health Information Exchanges (HIE) are at a Turning Point in Regards to Interoperability
Michael Popovich - President/CEO
As health information technology evolves in the era of meaningful use, state HIE’s and IIS’s are working together on best practices to achieve interoperability. HIE’s can become the primary access point for all healthcare data within a state and many states are aggressively positioning their HIE’s for future use. HIE’s must also adhere to Meaningful Use, which potentially creates a tremendous amount of value to state IIS’s – if deployed properly.
Posted on: May 4, 2011 | Read More...
April Blog EntriesMichael Popovich - President/CEO
As health information technology evolves in the era of meaningful use, state HIE’s and IIS’s are working together on best practices to achieve interoperability. HIE’s can become the primary access point for all healthcare data within a state and many states are aggressively positioning their HIE’s for future use. HIE’s must also adhere to Meaningful Use, which potentially creates a tremendous amount of value to state IIS’s – if deployed properly.
Posted on: May 4, 2011 | Read More...
Focusing on Public Health Outcomes Means a Worry-Free Summer for Children and Parents
Todd Watkins - Senior Vice President/Managing Partner
With summer soon approaching, many parents will be looking forward to sending their children off to camp with kids from other local communities and neighboring states. This is always a great learning experience for the children while providing the parents with a reprieve from day-to-day parenting responsibilities when their kids are home during the summer break.
While these camps provide great opportunities for the kids, they also can be a source of concern with the threat of exposure to infectious diseases. To minimize a child’s risk of contracting an illness, it is important that they have all their vaccinations prior to attending the camp. Other precautions that kids should consider include keeping their hands washed, not sharing drinks with other campers, and making sure to report any illness symptoms immediately to camp officials.
Posted on: April 12, 2011 | Read More...
March Blog EntriesTodd Watkins - Senior Vice President/Managing Partner
With summer soon approaching, many parents will be looking forward to sending their children off to camp with kids from other local communities and neighboring states. This is always a great learning experience for the children while providing the parents with a reprieve from day-to-day parenting responsibilities when their kids are home during the summer break.
While these camps provide great opportunities for the kids, they also can be a source of concern with the threat of exposure to infectious diseases. To minimize a child’s risk of contracting an illness, it is important that they have all their vaccinations prior to attending the camp. Other precautions that kids should consider include keeping their hands washed, not sharing drinks with other campers, and making sure to report any illness symptoms immediately to camp officials.
Posted on: April 12, 2011 | Read More...
Vaccine Preventable Diseases Still Occurring
Janet Balog - Sr. Public Health Advisor
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is well known for their vaccine research and testing, their educational resources on the value of vaccines and their publications on vaccine preventable diseases and their prevention. In the March 25, 2011 edition of their newsletter to healthcare professionals1, CHOP provided a summary of the national occurances of vaccine preventable diseases in the last 30 days, the number of cases and where they were diagnosed. We are a mobile society and while some of these diseases are brought into the United State from external sources, if the population was appropriately vaccinated in most cases these occurances could still be prevented.
Posted on: March 30, 2011 | Read More...
Janet Balog - Sr. Public Health Advisor
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is well known for their vaccine research and testing, their educational resources on the value of vaccines and their publications on vaccine preventable diseases and their prevention. In the March 25, 2011 edition of their newsletter to healthcare professionals1, CHOP provided a summary of the national occurances of vaccine preventable diseases in the last 30 days, the number of cases and where they were diagnosed. We are a mobile society and while some of these diseases are brought into the United State from external sources, if the population was appropriately vaccinated in most cases these occurances could still be prevented.
Posted on: March 30, 2011 | Read More...
Interoperability Benefits Immunization Information System and Provider EHRs When Monitored and Managed
Michael Popovich - President/CEO
Interoperability, as defined by www.Webster-dictionary.org is “the ability to exchange and use information…” Interoperability as applied to immunization record exchange between electronic health record (EHR) systems and statewide immunization information systems (IIS) means the ability to share patient immunization records electronically through HL7 standard communication protocols.
Posted on: March 25, 2011 | Read More...
Michael Popovich - President/CEO
Interoperability, as defined by www.Webster-dictionary.org is “the ability to exchange and use information…” Interoperability as applied to immunization record exchange between electronic health record (EHR) systems and statewide immunization information systems (IIS) means the ability to share patient immunization records electronically through HL7 standard communication protocols.
Posted on: March 25, 2011 | Read More...
DHHS Releases U.S. 2010 National Vaccine Plan
Erich Daub - Senior Public Health Consultant
On Wednesday, February 16, 2011 the Department of Health and Human Services released the 48 page 2010 National Vaccine Plan, a ten-year strategic plan establishing priorities for vaccine development and immunization services delivery. This document represents the first of two phases – an implementation plan, expected in the spring of 2011, will describe measurable outcomes and processes to achieve the goals of the strategic plan.
Posted on: March 23, 2011 | Read More...
Erich Daub - Senior Public Health Consultant
On Wednesday, February 16, 2011 the Department of Health and Human Services released the 48 page 2010 National Vaccine Plan, a ten-year strategic plan establishing priorities for vaccine development and immunization services delivery. This document represents the first of two phases – an implementation plan, expected in the spring of 2011, will describe measurable outcomes and processes to achieve the goals of the strategic plan.
Posted on: March 23, 2011 | Read More...
EHR “measurable benefits” – What it means to Immunization Information Systems
Janet Balog - Sr. Public Health Advisor
In a March 8 briefing sponsored by Health Affairs journal, Dr. David Blumenthal, the national coordinator for health IT announced its latest published studies on the impact that electronic health records (EHR) have on patient outcomes. The survey found evidence of “emerging measurable benefits” for small practices in addition to the larger health IT leaders.
Posted on: March 15, 2011 | Read More...
Janet Balog - Sr. Public Health Advisor
In a March 8 briefing sponsored by Health Affairs journal, Dr. David Blumenthal, the national coordinator for health IT announced its latest published studies on the impact that electronic health records (EHR) have on patient outcomes. The survey found evidence of “emerging measurable benefits” for small practices in addition to the larger health IT leaders.
Posted on: March 15, 2011 | Read More...
Healthcare Reform Advances Immunization Policy and Practice
Erich Daub - Senior Public Health Consultant
In March of 2010, the Affordable Care Act was signed into law marking the most comprehensive changes to healthcare reform since the establishment of Medicare. While the words “vaccine” and “immunization” do not appear very often in the 906-page Act, there are many provisions that should measurably increase vaccine administration rates and support the operations of state immunization programs. Along with controls on costs, improvements in healthcare, health data quality, and increases in insurance coverage, the Act provides for increased appropriations to support immunizations administered by primary healthcare providers. The Act expanded the reach of preventive services that includes vaccine administration.
Posted on: March 7, 2011 | Read More...
Erich Daub - Senior Public Health Consultant
In March of 2010, the Affordable Care Act was signed into law marking the most comprehensive changes to healthcare reform since the establishment of Medicare. While the words “vaccine” and “immunization” do not appear very often in the 906-page Act, there are many provisions that should measurably increase vaccine administration rates and support the operations of state immunization programs. Along with controls on costs, improvements in healthcare, health data quality, and increases in insurance coverage, the Act provides for increased appropriations to support immunizations administered by primary healthcare providers. The Act expanded the reach of preventive services that includes vaccine administration.
Posted on: March 7, 2011 | Read More...
The Future of Public Health and Immunization Registries
Mike Popovich - STC CEO
As the immunization registry family of states, vendors and the CDC team start into the eighteenth year of implementing state registries, there are new opportunities for all of us to deliver on the original objectives of these systems. With many years of investment, the data within immunization registries is a significant health data asset to not only individual states, but to the entire nation. Population based outcome information and the knowledge gained from using this data should expect to take a giant leap forward in the next year or two.
Posted on: March 2, 2011 | Read More...
February Blog EntriesMike Popovich - STC CEO
As the immunization registry family of states, vendors and the CDC team start into the eighteenth year of implementing state registries, there are new opportunities for all of us to deliver on the original objectives of these systems. With many years of investment, the data within immunization registries is a significant health data asset to not only individual states, but to the entire nation. Population based outcome information and the knowledge gained from using this data should expect to take a giant leap forward in the next year or two.
Posted on: March 2, 2011 | Read More...
Rotavirus Vaccine Continues to Reduce Deaths and Hospitalizations
Janet Balog - Sr. Public Health Advisor
A recent article in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal (2011;30(suppl 1):S1-S66.) discusses declining deaths and hospitalization due to rotavirus. Researchers note this in correlation with routine vaccination against the disease implementation. This has occurred both within the United States and Internationally. If this pattern holds, greater population protection than expected may be attained in developing country settings.
Posted on: February 7, 2011 | Read More...
Janet Balog - Sr. Public Health Advisor
A recent article in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal (2011;30(suppl 1):S1-S66.) discusses declining deaths and hospitalization due to rotavirus. Researchers note this in correlation with routine vaccination against the disease implementation. This has occurred both within the United States and Internationally. If this pattern holds, greater population protection than expected may be attained in developing country settings.
Posted on: February 7, 2011 | Read More...
CDC Releases Important Immunization-related Practice Updates
Erich Daub - Sr. Public Health Consultant
CDC has just released two important immunization-related practice updates. The first revises recommendations regarding meningococcal vaccine administration, advising that vaccinations begin at ages 11 or 12 and adding a booster at age 16. In college or other settings where young adults have extensive close contact, these recommendations are based on observed waning of immunologic protection among youth a number of years post-vaccination.
Posted on: February 1, 2011 | Read More...
January 2011 Blog EntriesErich Daub - Sr. Public Health Consultant
CDC has just released two important immunization-related practice updates. The first revises recommendations regarding meningococcal vaccine administration, advising that vaccinations begin at ages 11 or 12 and adding a booster at age 16. In college or other settings where young adults have extensive close contact, these recommendations are based on observed waning of immunologic protection among youth a number of years post-vaccination.
Posted on: February 1, 2011 | Read More...
Why Social Media is an Important Tool for Any Organization
Ryan Watkins - Marketing
In 2010, Facebook surpassed Google as the most visited website in the United States. According to Facebook.com, more than 30 billion pieces of content (web links, news stories, blog posts, notes, photo albums, etc.) is shared each month on Facebook. When an organization sees these statistics, it becomes impossible for them to ignore the value of connecting to customers, clients, and individuals through these social media channels. While social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube were once used strictly for individuals to connect with one another, organizations are starting to realize the power of social media and are using it to their advantage.
Posted on: January 26, 2011 | Read More...
December Blog EntriesRyan Watkins - Marketing
In 2010, Facebook surpassed Google as the most visited website in the United States. According to Facebook.com, more than 30 billion pieces of content (web links, news stories, blog posts, notes, photo albums, etc.) is shared each month on Facebook. When an organization sees these statistics, it becomes impossible for them to ignore the value of connecting to customers, clients, and individuals through these social media channels. While social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube were once used strictly for individuals to connect with one another, organizations are starting to realize the power of social media and are using it to their advantage.
Posted on: January 26, 2011 | Read More...
Public Health Touchstone Documents Released
This past week two public health benchmark documents were released after many months — years in one case — of preparation. Healthy People 2020, available for download via the Department of Health and Human Services homepage, presents new indicators for the entire scope of leading threats to health, including biological, structural, and behavioral factors important to improving health.
Posted on: December 21, 2010 | Read More...
Pertussis Epidemic – Protect Yourself, Your Family, and All Children and Babies
Some information is simply worth repeating. A recent ABC News story highlighted the rise of pertussis illness. Outbreaks in California and Indiana are just two states experiencing a serious and an increasing problem.
As explained by ABC, pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial disease. It is more commonly referred to as whooping cough and it is vaccine preventable. It is a disease found in all ages but is most serious in young children and babies.
Posted on: December 1, 2010 | Read More...
November Blog EntriesThis past week two public health benchmark documents were released after many months — years in one case — of preparation. Healthy People 2020, available for download via the Department of Health and Human Services homepage, presents new indicators for the entire scope of leading threats to health, including biological, structural, and behavioral factors important to improving health.
Posted on: December 21, 2010 | Read More...
Pertussis Epidemic – Protect Yourself, Your Family, and All Children and Babies
Some information is simply worth repeating. A recent ABC News story highlighted the rise of pertussis illness. Outbreaks in California and Indiana are just two states experiencing a serious and an increasing problem.
As explained by ABC, pertussis is a highly contagious bacterial disease. It is more commonly referred to as whooping cough and it is vaccine preventable. It is a disease found in all ages but is most serious in young children and babies.
Posted on: December 1, 2010 | Read More...
The Value of Public Health Prevention Programs
In the continuum of public health there are three main functional elements…
Posted on: November 15, 2010 | Read More...
September Blog EntriesIn the continuum of public health there are three main functional elements…
1. Disease Prevention (preventing potential disease incidents)Many programs, initiatives, and projects persist in each of these three elements; but it is in prevention where true opportunities exist to realize benefits that will ultimately result in lowering the cost of healthcare and improving the health of our nation’s population.
2. Disease Surveillance (monitoring and reporting on disease incidents)
3. Disease Management (managing disease incidents)
Posted on: November 15, 2010 | Read More...
STC Remembers Buzz Conn
On June 1, 1999 Robert “Buzz” Conn joined Scientific Technologies Corporation – a company that had recently started focusing on providing software and services to state public health departments across the US. Almost immediately Buzz became instrumental as both a technical and subject matter expert.
The character he exhibited that landed him the job was consistently on display to others throughout his career. STC employees and management were drawn to his genuine and unshakeable style of taking on challenging and often uncharted new areas of the business. STC clients were drawn to the quiet confidence he exhibited when dealing with complex project issues.
Posted on: September 21, 2010 | Read More...
August Blog EntriesOn June 1, 1999 Robert “Buzz” Conn joined Scientific Technologies Corporation – a company that had recently started focusing on providing software and services to state public health departments across the US. Almost immediately Buzz became instrumental as both a technical and subject matter expert.
The character he exhibited that landed him the job was consistently on display to others throughout his career. STC employees and management were drawn to his genuine and unshakeable style of taking on challenging and often uncharted new areas of the business. STC clients were drawn to the quiet confidence he exhibited when dealing with complex project issues.
Posted on: September 21, 2010 | Read More...
National Immunization Awareness Month – Education is Key to Saving Lives
Janet Balog, RN, BS – Senior Public Health Specialist and Project Manager
August is National Immunization Awareness month. Immunizations save lives. Indisputable research has proven that immunizations are the most cost-effective health care dollar spent and yet people of all ages continue to be under-immunized. This is particularly true for the age 65+ population. The immunization coverage rates of African American and Hispanic populations continue to be significantly lower than the national average across all ages.
Posted on: August 20, 2010 | Read More...
August is National Immunization Awareness Month!
Deborah Allwes – STC Senior Public Health Specialist and Project Manager
In celebration of National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), recognized each August, Scientific Technologies Corporation (STC) is reflecting on the history and future of states’ immunization efforts. Beyond a doubt, immunization is one of the most significant public health achievements in history. Immunization can prevent a disease from happening, limit a disease’s impact on an infected patient, and protect the public health, especially those who cannot be immunized due to health concerns. However; for all of these benefits to be realized, the immunization has to be available to the patients who need it most.
Posted on: August 17, 2010 | Read More...
Healthcare Savings Available through Cost Sharing
Todd Watkins - STC Managing Partner/CAO
A national vision and framework for effective Health Information Exchange (HIE) between and among the various stakeholders is in place to help guide individual state and regional initiatives. By enabling the exchange of healthcare information, important patient and aggregate data can be analyzed to head off disease, provide higher quality of care to more individuals, combat fraud, and lower cost.
Posted on: August 16, 2010 | Read More...
July Blog EntriesJanet Balog, RN, BS – Senior Public Health Specialist and Project Manager
August is National Immunization Awareness month. Immunizations save lives. Indisputable research has proven that immunizations are the most cost-effective health care dollar spent and yet people of all ages continue to be under-immunized. This is particularly true for the age 65+ population. The immunization coverage rates of African American and Hispanic populations continue to be significantly lower than the national average across all ages.
Posted on: August 20, 2010 | Read More...
August is National Immunization Awareness Month!
Deborah Allwes – STC Senior Public Health Specialist and Project Manager
In celebration of National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), recognized each August, Scientific Technologies Corporation (STC) is reflecting on the history and future of states’ immunization efforts. Beyond a doubt, immunization is one of the most significant public health achievements in history. Immunization can prevent a disease from happening, limit a disease’s impact on an infected patient, and protect the public health, especially those who cannot be immunized due to health concerns. However; for all of these benefits to be realized, the immunization has to be available to the patients who need it most.
Posted on: August 17, 2010 | Read More...
Healthcare Savings Available through Cost Sharing
Todd Watkins - STC Managing Partner/CAO
A national vision and framework for effective Health Information Exchange (HIE) between and among the various stakeholders is in place to help guide individual state and regional initiatives. By enabling the exchange of healthcare information, important patient and aggregate data can be analyzed to head off disease, provide higher quality of care to more individuals, combat fraud, and lower cost.
Posted on: August 16, 2010 | Read More...
Health Information Exchange: Opportunities Abound to Improve the Public’s Health and Economy
Todd Watkins - STC Managing Partner/CAO
With the emphasis and funding recently being placed on Health Information Exchange (HIE) to support our nation’s health reform initiatives, it is important that those trusted with the responsibility of leveraging Health Information Technology (HIT) maintain focus on the ultimate outcome — improving the health and wellbeing of our nation’s citizens.
Posted on: July 13, 2010 | Read More...
Significant Strides Occurring in Modernization of Public Health IT
Mike Popovich - STC CEO
Modernization of the national health technology environment is occurring through a variety of investments in the health sector. A focus on prevention to minimize the risk of disease and support health care cost containment, sharing of patient medical records, and technology initiatives in home health care are just a few of the areas where modernization is occurring. Public health stands to gain significantly from new data sources to support real or near real time surveillance, disease management, intervention assessments, and population health initiatives.
Posted on: July 1, 2010 | Read More...
June Blog EntriesTodd Watkins - STC Managing Partner/CAO
With the emphasis and funding recently being placed on Health Information Exchange (HIE) to support our nation’s health reform initiatives, it is important that those trusted with the responsibility of leveraging Health Information Technology (HIT) maintain focus on the ultimate outcome — improving the health and wellbeing of our nation’s citizens.
Posted on: July 13, 2010 | Read More...
Significant Strides Occurring in Modernization of Public Health IT
Mike Popovich - STC CEO
Modernization of the national health technology environment is occurring through a variety of investments in the health sector. A focus on prevention to minimize the risk of disease and support health care cost containment, sharing of patient medical records, and technology initiatives in home health care are just a few of the areas where modernization is occurring. Public health stands to gain significantly from new data sources to support real or near real time surveillance, disease management, intervention assessments, and population health initiatives.
Posted on: July 1, 2010 | Read More...
Becoming Different by Being Better!
Todd Watkins - STC Managing Partner/CAO
Dale Dauten is a syndicated columnist who writes weekly articles published in many newspapers across the country. He's an economist, successful businessman, published author, and corporate consultant. I enjoy reading his weekly columns published in the Albuquerque Journal's business section each Monday morning. A recent article was entitled "Creating a brand requires that you care." Since STC is currently looking to "brand" itself in a broader HIE marketplace, I was especially eager to learn some clever tactics we could quickly implement.
Posted on: June 1, 2010 | Read More...
May Blog EntriesTodd Watkins - STC Managing Partner/CAO
Dale Dauten is a syndicated columnist who writes weekly articles published in many newspapers across the country. He's an economist, successful businessman, published author, and corporate consultant. I enjoy reading his weekly columns published in the Albuquerque Journal's business section each Monday morning. A recent article was entitled "Creating a brand requires that you care." Since STC is currently looking to "brand" itself in a broader HIE marketplace, I was especially eager to learn some clever tactics we could quickly implement.
Posted on: June 1, 2010 | Read More...
Health Care Information Reform: It’s About Teamwork!
Todd Watkins - STC Managing Partner/CAO
Many initiatives are simultaneously underway to streamline health care information to enable and facilitate health care reform. While the meaningful exchange of health care information is not the only issue, it is clearly a critical element of being able to achieve a more cost-effective health care delivery system in the U.S. It is certainly no secret that the data associated with our health care system is distributed across multiple systems. Many of the systems and their data are not logically integrated thereby inhibiting the meaningful exchange of critical information on patients and events that affect the health and well being of our country and its residents.
Posted on: May 25, 2010 | Read More...
Overcome Barriers to Establishing a Public Health Exchange
Mike Popovich - STC CEO
Seven principles to overcome barriers in establishing a Public Health Information Exchange:
1. Use Standards but not at the expense of establishing the initial links. Migrate your exchange to a Standard in Phase II.
2. Public health IT professionals already possess the skills, products, and services to implement information exchanges. Study the many examples that are already in place.
Posted on: May 17, 2010 | Read More...
Will Health IT Improve Outcomes?
Mike Popovich - STC CEO
The new order in health care transformation has energized the health care information technology business. This is both good and bad. The good: change, cost, innovation, call to action, and outcomes – all come to mind. The bad: change, cost, innovation, call to action, and outcomes. It is a mirror effect or perhaps more appropriately, the competing angel and devil in your ear.
Posted on: May 6, 2010 | Read More...
Todd Watkins - STC Managing Partner/CAO
Many initiatives are simultaneously underway to streamline health care information to enable and facilitate health care reform. While the meaningful exchange of health care information is not the only issue, it is clearly a critical element of being able to achieve a more cost-effective health care delivery system in the U.S. It is certainly no secret that the data associated with our health care system is distributed across multiple systems. Many of the systems and their data are not logically integrated thereby inhibiting the meaningful exchange of critical information on patients and events that affect the health and well being of our country and its residents.
Posted on: May 25, 2010 | Read More...
Overcome Barriers to Establishing a Public Health Exchange
Mike Popovich - STC CEO
Seven principles to overcome barriers in establishing a Public Health Information Exchange:
1. Use Standards but not at the expense of establishing the initial links. Migrate your exchange to a Standard in Phase II.
2. Public health IT professionals already possess the skills, products, and services to implement information exchanges. Study the many examples that are already in place.
Posted on: May 17, 2010 | Read More...
Will Health IT Improve Outcomes?
Mike Popovich - STC CEO
The new order in health care transformation has energized the health care information technology business. This is both good and bad. The good: change, cost, innovation, call to action, and outcomes – all come to mind. The bad: change, cost, innovation, call to action, and outcomes. It is a mirror effect or perhaps more appropriately, the competing angel and devil in your ear.
Posted on: May 6, 2010 | Read More...