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ABSTRACT INFORMATION
Title: 'Interoperability: Are we Speaking the Same Language?'
Track: 6 - Follow-up, Tracking and Data Management
Keyword(s): newborn screening, informatics, information management, follow-up, tracking
Learning Objectives:
  1. Identify public health implications after the integration of newborn hearing and metabolic screening into one electronic system.
  2. Analyze lessons learned when implementing health informatics standards, from a public health perspective.
  3. Identify data elements used to integrate an EHDI and NBMS data system.

Abstract:

In 2008, the State of Alaska enacted a legislative mandate for newborn hearing screening. At that time, the state expanded its web-based database to electronically import newborn bloodspot results from the Oregon Public Health Laboratory and link them with newborn hearing screening results. This integration provided one child-centric record for both programs and essential information to the EHDI program for reducing Alaska’s lost to follow-up. As part of the transition to HL7 messaging, in April 2012, the electronic transmission of newborn screening metabolic data from the lab stopped. As a consequence, the Alaska Newborn Screening program no longer had an integrated child newborn screening record. This in turn reduced the number of submitters known for each patient and therefore created a challenge for follow-up that was previously resolved. The process to get the messages re-submitted has been quite the experience. For the transmission of demographic data, the Newborn Dried Bloodspot Screening Implementation Guide for Laboratory Results by Public Health Informatics was implemented using HL7 V2.5.1 messages. In addition to moving from an XML transmission to a HL7 V2 message, modifications to the data elements used in matching were reviewed and modified. During this process, communication among all parties became critical. The importance of consistent and timely data entry at the hospital, lab and state was essential and the necessity of a unified coding system was revealed. This presentation will review the lessons learned, the steps and occasional missteps taken, and make recommendations to facilitate integrating these public health information systems. This evidence supports the importance of integrated newborn hearing and bloodspot screening data that help ensure newborns receive screening and follow-up for both programs.
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PRESENTER(S) / AUTHOR(S) INFORMATION
Lura Daussat - Co-Presenter,Author
OZ Systems
     Credentials: MPH
      Lura Daussat serves as a program coordinator for OZ Systems. She implements and supports US and international state newborn screening programs interpreting the business needs of OZ Systems’ customers to the company’s software development and analysis teams. She works closely with Public Health Departments as they introduce information management solutions for Newborn Genetic and Metabolic Screening and Early Hearing Detection and Intervention programs. Recently she has become active in health information technology standards, specifically HL7 (Health Level 7). Prior to joining OZ Systems, Lura earned her BS in Biology at the University of North Texas and served as a United States Peace Corps Volunteer in Ghana, West Africa, for three years as a science teacher and Gender and Youth Development Coordinator. She earned a Master of Public Health degree at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in International Health and Development.
      ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial - No relevant financial relationship exist.

Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.
Beth Kaplan - Primary Presenter,Author
EHDI, State of Alaska - Division of Public Health
     Credentials: M.Ed.
     Other Affiliations: Alaska Public Health Association
      Beth Kaplan has served as the Program Manager for Alaska’s EHDI Program in the Section of Women’s, Children’s and Family Health (WCFH) since December of 2006. Before joining WCFH, she was the Family Care Coordinator for the Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Clinic and the Neonatal Intensive Care Developmental Follow-up Program at Providence Alaska Medical Center. She also worked in early intervention programs in Anchorage and Fairbanks. She has a Master of Education with an emphasis in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education. Beth has dedicated her career to supporting families and coordinating care for children with special health care needs. She enjoys the challenge of improving the system of care for children by facilitating partnerships with providers and families. She has lived and worked in Alaska for over thirty-five years; she began her career in New York City in a pilot travel training program for the Department of Special Education.
      ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -

Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.