Integration of vision screening and outcome data into existing state surveillance systems

Children participate in vision screenings in a variety of settings doctors offices, schools and community programs- each provider retains the results in a unique format. While the results are shared with the child's family, rarely is there additional communication regarding those children who failed the screening. The challenge is that it is often difficult to connect the vision screening results with the recommended follow up. A registry which allows patient level vision screening data to be collected, integrated, and monitored by all parties responsible for any aspect of eye care from screening through appropriate treatment would enhance care for children who are screened and referred to an eye care provider. Such a system will improve communication between families, schools, communities, and both primary and eye care providers. It would provide quality data that can be used to improve children's vision and eye health, such as prevalence of important eye disorders and risk factors for eye disease and/or poor outcomes, and it would allow for monitoring and reporting of performance measures related to children's vision. Prevent Blindness America, with support from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau established the National Center for Children's Vision and Eye Health (NCCVEH) to address issues surrounding children's vision screening- with a priority area being data collection and surveillance. This session will outline the NCCVEH's recommendations for the integration of vision screen data at the patient level into existing sate surveillance systems. A model approach to this system, currently being implemented in Ohio, will be reviewed.