234092 Electronic Health Records and Administrative Data Use for Public Health Surveillance of Eye Health and Vision Related Conditions

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 1:03 PM - 1:18 PM

Amanda L. Elliott, PhD, ARNP , Division of Diabetes Translation / Vision Health Initiative, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Purpose: Electronic health records present an appealing option for expanding public health surveillance of chronic diseases. The present article discusses three examples of currently available sources of electronic health data as well as the current trend towards healthcare's adoption of electronic health records and how they could enhance public health surveillance of eye health and vision related conditions. Methods: Three examples of currently available sources of electronic health data (Kaiser Permanente, Veterans Health Administration, and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) are described along with how these sources can contribute to the necessary components of a comprehensive vision health surveillance system. Results: The advantages and disadvantages of using electronic health records for vision health surveillance are discussed. Conclusions: Additionally, recommendations for the future of electronic health records in creating a national eye health and vision related conditions surveillance system are presented.

Learning Areas:
Communication and informatics
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Demonstrate the need to better understand existing sources of electronic health information and the future of electronic health records in vision health surveillance. Demonstrate the usefulness of existing electronic health information data sources to address vision health disparities

Keywords: Surveillance, Vision Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am lead author of this paper and participated in designing the discussion and interpretation of its contents and preparation of the manuscript.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4220.0: Vision Health Disparities and the Right to Sight