Using the Collaborative Requirements Development Methodology to Build Laboratory Capacity for Timely Diagnosis During the Zika Epidemic in Puerto Rico.

INTRODUCTION: In 2016, Puerto Rico became the focal point of the Zika epidemic, with more than 36 000 laboratory-confirmed cases before August. The Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDH) responded by providing tests to symptomatic and asymptomatic pregnant women. The increased demand for Zika testing placed unprecedented strain on the laboratory capacity and information management processes used within the PRDH. The PRDH recognized the need to have an updated informatics system that securely manages, stores, and transmits digital data. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded the Public Health Informatics Institute to collaborate with the PRDH to assess and improve the informatics capability to respond to the ongoing Zika virus transmission in Puerto Rico. APPROACH: The team employed a 4-component approach to assess the informatics system and improve the information management processes for laboratory testing and reporting of arboviral diseases (Zika, chikungunya, and dengue). The method consisted of a (1) needs assessment, (2) business process analysis and requirements definition, (3) vendor analysis, and (4) solution implementation. RESULTS: The needs assessment determined that the PRDH's procedures for arbovirus testing and reporting were highly complex and paper-based and thus did not maximize the use of existing technology. The solution was to build a Web portal. The business process analysis yielded information to create a map of the flow of specimens, an arbovirus context diagram, and more than 200 requirements. The requirements identified in this process guided the design and creation of the Web portal. DISCUSSION: This report describes the process to build a Web portal to enhance laboratory testing and electronic reporting of Zika cases during the 2016 epidemic in Puerto Rico. We demonstrate the utility of applying the Collaborative Requirements Development Methodology, a proven informatics method, to the development of a Web portal for managing arboviruses in a health department.

Using problem-based learning as a strategy for cross-discipline emergency preparedness training.

The rapid and effective response to a bioterrorist event requires the coordinated efforts of trained personnel from different agencies. This article describes the design and implementation of a 1-week cross-disciplinary course employing problem-based learning (PBL) for professionals with backgrounds in public health, fire/emergency medical services (EMS), law enforcement, emergency management, and hospital administration. The curriculum provided opportunities for professionals from different disciplines to meet and learn the priorities and resources of partner agencies. In course evaluations, participants rated the training highly and found it applicable to their work and a good use of time and training resources. PBL techniques were successful in fostering cross-agency communication, thereby showing promise as an effective training method for meeting local and national emergency preparedness objectives.

The rapid implementation of a statewide emergency health information system during the 1993 Iowa flood

In the face of disastrous flooding, the Iowa department of public health established the statewide emergency computer communications network to establish rapid electronic reporting of disaster related health data, provide e-mail communications among all country health departments, monitor the long - range public health effects of the disaster, and institute a general purpose public health information system in Iowa, Based on software (CDC wonder/PC) Provided by the centers for Disease control and prevention and using standard personal computers and modems, this system has resulted in a 10 - to 20 fold increase in surveillance efficiency at the health department, not including time saved by country network participants. It provides acritical disaster assessment capability to the health department but also facilitates the general practice of public health (AU)