Using conceptual work products of health care to design health IT.

This paper introduces a new, model-based design method for interactive health information technology (IT) systems. This method extends workflow models with models of conceptual work products. When the health care work being modeled is substantially cognitive, tacit, and complex in nature, graphical workflow models can become too complex to be useful to designers. Conceptual models complement and simplify workflows by providing an explicit specification for the information product they must produce. We illustrate how conceptual work products can be modeled using standard software modeling language, which allows them to provide fundamental requirements for what the workflow must accomplish and the information that a new system should provide. Developers can use these specifications to envision how health IT could enable an effective cognitive strategy as a workflow with precise information requirements. We illustrate the new method with a study conducted in an outpatient multiple sclerosis (MS) clinic. This study shows specifically how the different phases of the method can be carried out, how the method allows for iteration across phases, and how the method generated a health IT design for case management of MS that is efficient and easy to use.

A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effectiveness of Traditional and Mobile Public Health Communications With Health Care Providers.

OBJECTIVES: Health care providers play an essential role in public health emergency preparedness and response. We conducted a 4-year randomized controlled trial to systematically compare the effectiveness of traditional and mobile communication strategies for sending time-sensitive public health messages to providers. METHODS: Subjects (N=848) included providers who might be leveraged to assist with emergency preparedness and response activities, such as physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, and veterinarians. Providers were randomly assigned to a group that received time-sensitive quarterly messages via e-mail, fax, or cell phone text messaging (SMS) or to a no-message control group. Follow-up phone interviews elicited information about message receipt, topic recall, and perceived credibility and trustworthiness of message and source. RESULTS: Our main outcome measures were awareness and recall of message content, which was compared across delivery methods. Per-protocol analysis revealed that e-mail messages were recalled at a higher rate than were messaged delivered by fax or SMS, whereas the as-treated analysis found that e-mail and fax groups had similar recall rates and both had higher recall rates than the SMS group. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to systematically evaluate the relative effectiveness of public health message delivery systems. Our findings provide guidance to improve public health agency communications with providers before, during, and after a public health emergency.

Exploring bi-directional and SMS messaging for communications between Public Health Agencies and their stakeholders: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Communication technologies that enable bi-directional/two-way communications and cell phone texting (SMS) between public health agencies and their stakeholders may improve public health surveillance, ensure targeted distribution of alerts to hard-to-reach populations, reduce mortality and morbidity in an emergency, and enable a crucial feedback loop between public health agencies and the communities they serve. Building on prior work regarding health care provider preferences for receiving one-way public health communications by email, fax or SMS, we conducted a formative, exploratory study to understand how a bi-directional system and the incorporation of SMS in that system might be used as a strategy to send and receive messages between public health agencies and community-based organizations which serve vulnerable populations, health care providers, and public health workers. Our research question: Under what conditions and/or situations might public health agencies utilize bi-directional and/or SMS messaging for disseminating time-sensitive public health information (alerts, advisories, updates, etc.) to their stakeholders? METHODS: A mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) study was conducted between April and July 2014. Data collection included a survey distributed to health care providers and semi-structured interviews with providers, community- and government-based organization leaders and directors, and public health agency internal workforce staff. Survey respondents and interviewees were asked about their exposure to public health messages, how these messages are received and how the information in these messages are handled, and in what situations (for example, a local vs. a national event, a pandemic or emergency vs. a health update) a bi-directional and/or SMS messaging system might improve communications between public health agencies and their stakeholder group. Interview and survey data were qualitatively analyzed. Thematic codes were quantitized into dichotomous variables of 0 or 1 on a per respondent basis to enumerate the presence or absence of each thematic code, enable quantitative analysis, and inform interpretation of findings. RESULTS: Five major themes emerged from synthesizing survey and interview results: 1) Regardless of situational context (emergency vs. non-urgent) and message recipient (stakeholder group), e-mail is a favored modality for receiving public health messages; 2) The decision to use bi-directional, SMS or multiple communication strategies is complex and public health agencies' need to manage messaging concerns/barriers and benefits for all parties; 3) Both public health agencies and their stakeholders share similar values/uses and concerns regarding two-way public health messaging and SMS; 4) Public health is highly trusted, thus thoughtful, effective messaging will ensure continuation of this goodwill; and 5) Information reciprocity between public health agencies and stakeholders who share their information is essential. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple communication strategies might be utilized but the choice of a specific strategy needs to balance message content (emergency vs. routine communications), delivery (one- vs. two-way), channel (SMS, email, etc.), and public health agency burden with stakeholder preferences and technical capabilities, all while mitigating the risk of message overload and disregard of important communications by recipients.

Health-care provider preferences for time-sensitive communications from public health agencies.

OBJECTIVE: The Rapid Emergency Alert Communication in Health (REACH) Trial was a randomized control trial to systematically compare and evaluate the effectiveness of traditional and mobile communication modalities for public health agencies to disseminate time-sensitive information to health-care providers (HCPs). We conducted a sub-study to identify the communication channels by which HCPs preferred receiving public health alerts and advisories. METHODS: Enrolled HCPs were blindly randomized into four message delivery groups to receive time-sensitive public health messages by e-mail, fax, or short message service (SMS) or to a no-message control group. Follow-up interviews were conducted 5-10 days after the message. In the final interview, additional questions were asked regarding HCP preferences for receiving public health alerts and advisories. We examined the relationship between key covariates and preferred method of receiving public health alert and advisory messages. RESULTS: Gender, age, provider type, and study site showed statistically significant associations with delivery method preference. Older providers were more likely than younger providers to prefer e-mail or fax, while younger providers were more likely than older providers to prefer receiving messages via SMS. CONCLUSIONS: There is currently no evidence-based research to guide or improve communication between public health agencies and HCPs. Understanding the preferences of providers for receiving alerts and advisories may improve the effectiveness of vital public health communications systems and, in turn, may enhance disease surveillance, aid in early detection, and improve case finding and situational awareness for public health emergencies.

Applying the XForms Standard to Public Health Case Reporting and Alerting.

Notifiable condition reporting and alerting are two important public health functions. Today, a variety of methods are used to transfer these types of information. The increasing use of electronic health record systems by healthcare providers makes new types of electronic communication possible. We used the XForms standard and nationally recognized technical profiles to demonstrate the communication of both notifiable condition reports and patient-tailored public health alerts. This demonstration of bi-directional communication took placein a prototypical health information exchange environment. We successfully transferred information between provider electronic health record systems and public health systems for notifiable condition reporting. Patient-specific alerts were successfully sent from public health to provider systems. In this paper we discuss the benefits of XForms, including the use of XML, advanced form controls, form initialization and reduction in scripting. We also review implementation challenges, the maturity of the technology and its suitability for use in public health.

Ecological model of disaster management.

The ecological model of disaster management provides a framework to guide occupational health nurses who are developing disaster management programs.This ecological model assumes that disaster planning, preparedness, response, and recovery occur at various levels of the organization. These nested, increasingly complex organizational levels include individual and family, workplace, community, state, tribal, federal, and global levels. The ecological model hypothesizes that these levels interact and these dynamic interactions determine disaster planning, preparedness, response, and recovery outcomes. In addition to the features of the hazard or disaster, it is also assumed that parallel disaster planning, preparedness, and response elements, logistical challenges, and flexibility, sustainability, and rehabilitation elements occur at each level of the ecological model. Finally, the model assumes that evaluation of response and recovery efforts should inform future planning and preparedness efforts.

Integrating open-source technologies to build low-cost information systems for improved access to public health data.

Effective public health practice relies on the availability of public health data sources and assessment tools to convey information to investigators, practitioners, policy makers, and the general public. Emerging communication technologies on the Internet can deliver all components of the "who, what, when, and where" quartet more quickly than ever with a potentially higher level of quality and assurance, using new analysis and visualization tools. Open-source software provides the opportunity to build low-cost information systems allowing health departments with modest resources access to modern data analysis and visualization tools. In this paper, we integrate open-source technologies and public health data to create a web information system which is accessible to a wide audience through the Internet. Our web application, "EpiVue," was tested using two public health datasets from the Washington State Cancer Registry and Washington State Center for Health Statistics. A third dataset shows the extensibility and scalability of EpiVue in displaying gender-based longevity statistics over a twenty-year interval for 3,143 United States counties. In addition to providing an integrated visualization framework, EpiVue's highly interactive web environment empowers users by allowing them to upload their own geospatial public health data in either comma-separated text files or MS Excel spreadsheet files and visualize the geospatial datasets with Google Maps.

Disaster preparedness for limited English proficient communities: medical interpreters as cultural brokers and gatekeepers.

Current disaster and emergency response planning does not adequately address the needs of limited English proficient (LEP) communities. The complexities of language and cultural differences pose serious barriers to first responders and emergency providers in reaching LEP communities. Medical interpreters are potential key cultural and linguistic linkages to LEP communities. This project established a collaborative partnership with the Interpreter Services department of Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. In summer 2004, a pilot assessment of the training background and work experiences of medical interpreters was conducted that focused on training needs for disaster/emergency situations. Overall, medical interpreters identified a need for disaster preparedness training and education. Medical interpreters further reported that LEP communities are not prepared for disasters and that there is a need for culturally appropriate information and education.

Is agricultural activity linked to the incidence of human West Nile virus?

BACKGROUND: West Nile virus (WNV) has spread throughout the contiguous United States. During the 2002-2003 period, there were 14,023 laboratory-confirmed human cases of WNV in 45 states and 541 associated deaths. Factors that affect case distribution are poorly understood. This study assessed the relationship of environmental factors and agricultural activity with the presence of human WNV cases. METHODS: County-level data were collected that included 2002 and 2003 WNV surveillance data, temperature, dairy revenue, precipitation, total irrigated acres, and total crop revenue. Logistic regression models were used to determine which risk factors were significantly associated with WNV human cases. RESULTS: Significant independent predictors for counties with human WNV cases were population (odds ratio [OR]=1.20, p<0.0001); higher average daily temperature in April through October (OR=1.19 for each additional degree Fahrenheit, p<0.0001); and total crop sales (OR=1.14 (p<0.001). The ORs for these predictors increased in an analysis of counties with ten or more cases. CONCLUSIONS: Higher temperature and farming activity may be strongly associated with the incidence of human WNV infection. Larger studies of more agricultural centers are warranted to determine which environmental factors increase the risk of human infection and how these infections can be prevented.

Evaluation of the Washington State National Pharmaceutical Stockpile dispensing exercise, part II--dispensary site worker findings.

On January 24, 2002, the Washington State Department of Health, in collaboration with local and federal agencies, conducted an exercise of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Pharmaceutical Stockpile dispensing portion of the Washington State plan. This exercise included predrill planning, training, and the orchestration of services of more than 40 dispensary site workers. These workers provided education and post-exposure prophylaxis for over 230 patient volunteers in the aftermath of a simulated exposure to B. anthracis. This article discusses findings of a postdrill questionnaire completed by 90% of these dispensary site workers who provided triage, education, dispensary, security and other services during this exercise. In general, this dispensing drill promoted confidence in the worker participants and provided an opportunity for these participants to coordinate their activities. This mock bioterrorist preparedness exercise allowed worker participants and observers to review and evaluate the Washington State plan for dispensing the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile. This article is apparently the first published account of dispensary site workers' subjective impressions and quantitative analysis of their postdrill opinions following a simulated bioterrorist post-exposure chemoprophylaxis dispensing exercise.

Evaluation of the Washington State National Pharmaceutical Stockpile dispensing exercise: Part I--Patient volunteer findings.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Pharmaceutical Stockpile (NPS) program is designed to ensure the availability of life-saving antibiotics, other medical supplies, and equipment and their prompt delivery to the site of a disaster, including a possible bioterrorist incident, anywhere in the United States. On January 24, 2002, the Washington State Department of Health conducted an exercise, simulating a mass exposure to Bacillis anthracis, to test the NPS dispensing portion of the Washington State plan. This drill included the recruitment, education, and postexposure prophylaxis of over 230 volunteer patients. This article describes and discusses findings from an exit survey completed by these patient volunteers.

Development and evaluation of public health informatics at University of Washington.

Public Health Informatics (PHI) education began at the University of Washington (UW) with a Summer Institute in 1995. The Biomedical and Health Informatics graduate program, which is housed in the School of Medicine, is an interdisciplinary, multi-school program. It demonstrates the UW's cooperative efforts in advancing informatics, encompassing the schools of public health, medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, information and graduate schools in computer science. This article provides an overview of the developmental milestones related to activities in PHI and describes the evaluation strategy and assessment plan for PHI training at the UW (http://phig.washington.edu).

Comparación de la seguridad y eficacia de los dispositivos intrauterinos colocados por médicos y personal de enfermería en el Brasil / Comparative study of safety and efficacy of IUD insertions by physicians and nursing personnel in Brazil

Con el objeto de determinar si en el Brasil miembros adiestrados del personal de enfermería podían prestar servicios de inserción de dispositivos intrauterinos (DIU) con el mismo grado de seguridad y eficacia que los médicos, se llevó a cabo un estudio experimental en la clínica principal del Centro de Investigaciones de Atención Integrada a la Mujer y al Niño en Rio de Janeiro. De noviembre de 1984 a abril de 1986, 1711 mujeres que acudieron a la clínica para la inserción de un DIU fueron asignadas aleatoriamente a uno de sus 11 médicos o 13 miembros del personal de enfermería para la inserción de una T de cobre 200. Todos los médicos y miembros del personal de enfermería que prestaron esos servicios habían asistido al curso normal de formación clínica en planificación familiar en el Centro. De las 860 inserciones intentadas por los médicos y por el personal de enfermería, 1,3 y 3,3 porciento, respectivamente, fueron un fracaso, diferencia que resultó muy significativa en términos estadísticos (P0,01). Debido, principalmente, al tamaño pequeño del cuello uterino y a la falta de dilatación, las multíparas tuvieron una tasa de fracaso en la inserción de 8 porciento, cifra relativamente alta en comparación, con la observada en primíparas (1,0 porciento). Se observó una tasa global de complicaciones durante la inserción de 1,8 porciento y entre las complicaciones se observaron diaforesis, vómitos, síncope, laceración cervical y un caso de perforación uterina...(AU)

Comparación de la seguridad y eficacia de los dispositivos intrauterinos colocados por médicos y personal de enfermería en el Brasil / Comparative study of safety and efficacy of IUD insertions by physicians and nursing personnel in Brazil

Con el objeto de determinar si en el Brasil miembros adiestrados del personal de enfermería podían prestar servicios de inserción de dispositivos intrauterinos (DIU) con el mismo grado de seguridad y eficacia que los médicos, se llevó a cabo un estudio experimental en la clínica principal del Centro de Investigaciones de Atención Integrada a la Mujer y al Niño en Rio de Janeiro. De noviembre de 1984 a abril de 1986, 1711 mujeres que acudieron a la clínica para la inserción de un DIU fueron asignadas aleatoriamente a uno de sus 11 médicos o 13 miembros del personal de enfermería para la inserción de una T de cobre 200. Todos los médicos y miembros del personal de enfermería que prestaron esos servicios habían asistido al curso normal de formación clínica en planificación familiar en el Centro. De las 860 inserciones intentadas por los médicos y por el personal de enfermería, 1,3 y 3,3 porciento, respectivamente, fueron un fracaso, diferencia que resultó muy significativa en términos estadísticos (P0,01). Debido, principalmente, al tamaño pequeño del cuello uterino y a la falta de dilatación, las multíparas tuvieron una tasa de fracaso en la inserción de 8 porciento, cifra relativamente alta en comparación, con la observada en primíparas (1,0 porciento). Se observó una tasa global de complicaciones durante la inserción de 1,8 porciento y entre las complicaciones se observaron diaforesis, vómitos, síncope, laceración cervical y un caso de perforación uterina...(AU)

Se publica en inglés en el Bull. PAHO. Vol. 29(3):206-15, 1995

Comparative study of safety and efficacy of IUD insertions by physicians and nursing personnel in Brazil

This article will also be published in Spanish in the BOSP. Vol. 120(2):87-97, 1996

Screening practices for cervical and breast cancer in Costa Rica

Cervical cancer and breast cancer are leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in Costa Rica. This reports results of an evaluation of cervical and breast cancer screening practices among Costa Rican women 25 to 58 years old that was based on a nationwide 1984-1985 survey. The evaluation showed that while Pap smears were widely used to screen for cervical cancer, many women did not have their first cervical smear or gynecologic examination until age 30, and that cervical cancer screening was less common among certain high-risk groups, including women with multiple sexual partners and those with high parity. Less than half the women surveyed reported having had a breast examination by a health care provider. Utilization of both cervical cancer and breast cancer screening examinations could be increased by targeting inadequately screened high-risk women through the existing health care system

Screening practices for cervical and breast cancer in Costa Rica

Cervical cancer and breast cancer are leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in Costa Rica. This reports results of an evaluation of cervical and breast cancer screening practices among Costa Rican women 25 to 58 years old that was based on a nationwide 1984-1985 survey. The evaluation showed that while Pap smears were widely used to screen for cervical cancer, many women did not have their first cervical smear or gynecologic examination until age 30, and that cervical cancer screening was less common among certain high-risk groups, including women with multiple sexual partners and those with high parity. Less than half the women surveyed reported having had a breast examination by a health care provider. Utilization of both cervical cancer and breast cancer screening examinations could be increased by targeting inadequately screened high-risk women through the existing health care system

Estudios de detección selectiva del cáncer de cérvix y del cáncer de mama en Costa Rica / Screening practices for cervical and breast cancer in Costa Rica

Screening practices for cervical and breast cancer in Costa Rica