COTPER Seminar in Atlanta

For Immediate Release
Scientific Technologies Corporation
4400 E. Broadway Blvd. Suite 705
Tucson, AZ 85711
+1.520.202.3333
Email: info@stchome.com

June 10, 2008

The CDC has announced that Frank Welch, MD, MSPH, will present “Paperless Data Collection and Reporting During a Mass Influenza Immunization Drill; Implications for Data Collection During a Pandemic” at the June 12 Coordinating Office for Terrorism Preparedness and Emergency Response (COTPER) Seminar in Atlanta. The seminar is one of a series focusing on Topics in Emergency Preparedness and Response.

Dr. Welch serves as Medical Director for the Louisiana Office of Public Health/Department of Health and Hospitals.

On October 25, 2007 the Louisiana Office of Public Health (OPH) vaccinated nearly 27,000 persons against influenza in a six hour period. The drill required that each of the 9 Louisiana Public Health Regions use a remote site not associated with any public health or government function. The end result was a mixture of churches, schools, community centers, and a mall location. Nine off-site locations were given two hours notice to set up the clinic, commence vaccinations and electronically record the information. While the initial goal was to administer 11,000 influenza vaccinations (200/hr at each of the 9 sites), the final count was more than twice the objective. Real-time information allowed decision makers to determine whether vaccine needed to be transferred from local stockpiles. Once it was determined that every site would run out of available supply, the registry was used to assess local stockpiles and determine how to best transfer inventories. Louisiana citizens were invited to participate through a large mass media campaign. The influenza vaccine was purchased through CDC cooperative agreement funds, and was separate from typical “high risk” influenza vaccine programs. Regardless of detailed planning, every event presents opportunities to improve. Direct data entry reduces labor, improves accuracy and provides critical real-time information. Real-time reporting for total patients vaccinated and vaccine inventory levels allowed the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) staff to further calculate and project vaccine depletion times. It also provided information to determine whether each Point of Dispensing (POD) was sufficiently staffed. A specialized interface for the EOC would more effectively produce this information without time consuming manual calculations and projections. An overview of Louisiana’s paperless data collection and data management tools for emergency responses will be provided.

This event will be ENVISIONED. Please contact your local ENVISION facilitator or the person who schedules ENVISION at your location if interested. This seminar will also be broadcasted over IPTV.

Seminar Series Contact: Marinda Logan, MPH, Office of Science and Public Health Practice, COTPER OD by email at mlogan@cdc.gov or by phone at 404-639-5974

About Scientific Technologies Corporation
STC is a global health informatics firm, delivering effective and reliable solutions for nearly two decades. With immunization management systems and disease surveillance and management systems for many states and municipalities throughout North America, STC is widely regarded as the foremost public health solutions provider on the market today.