Use of health information technology as a decision-support tool in public health emergency management: An H1N1 dashboard experience

The prototype of a Maine CDC Public Health Preparedness Dashboard was developed in 2008. Requirements to extend its functionality in terms of AVR capabilities and breadth of data sets were developed with a planned deployment of Fall 2009. The emergence of H1N1 Influenza resulted in a reprioritization of the planned deployment to focus on data and information specific to a novel influenza. The purpose of the H1N1-specific Dashboard was to provide an accessible, single point of access to timely, accurate, and relevant data on the status of an outbreak in Maine. More specifically, the goals were to maximize (i) Maine CDC's capacity to monitor the changing epidemiology of H1N1; and (ii) The state's capacity to implement effective interventions. A team with expertise in business process analysis, epidemiology, surveillance, systems technology and program management employed a project management strategy to: (i) Develop project goals, objectives, and timelines; (ii) Identify program data, associated business processes and business requirements; (iii) Develop visualization tools; (iv) Create an implementation strategy. Business requirements, a data model and dashboard prototype for the management of a novel influenza outbreak were developed. Some of the challenges included:(i) An evolving scientific base of knowledge about H1N1; (ii) Shared vision and commitment by management and subject matter experts; (iii) Informatics competencies disparities; (iv) Philosophical differences in view of application and requirements. This paper describes the process of developing the business requirements aimed at synthesizing different data sets into one central information system. Key principals and pragmatic experiences will be discussed.