Medical examiner investigations produce valuable information useful to health officials, the criminal justice system, and families of the deceased. This effort creates uniform standards and establishes data collection and reporting procedures for medical examiners at the county level in Michigan’s 83 counties. A feasibility study measuring the need and desirability of creating a standardized data collection protocol was conducted; focus groups discussions between medical examiners and injury prevention researchers including the CDC were held; and pilot site volunteers were utilized. The ME Database bridges the gap between surveillance and research with the creation of an electronic system storing in-depth data on the circumstances and social factors surrounding fatal injuries and unexpected deaths. Hosted on the Internet, the Database provides health professionals with a valuable tool for community health assessments, injury prevention efforts, organization of EMS services, and other statewide efforts. With the anticipation of the ME Database expanding to the national level, the value that states and researchers derive from the database will expand. This initiative will allow states to standardize and establish data collection procedures as well as make possible nationwide research opportunities that, heretofore, were unfeasible. Participants to the poster session will see the benefits of collecting data via the Internet, realize potential research topics, and learn about research currently underway from data collected by this Initiative. MPHI will also be hosting a booth at the conference with the opportunity to see the ME database website there.
Learning Objectives: Participants to the poster session will see the benefits of collecting data via the Internet, realize potential research topics, and learn about research currently underway from data collected by this Initiative
Keywords: Injury Prevention, Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Michigan Public Health Institute
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment