New Resources Assist Public Health Agencies
in Integrating Child Health Information Systems
(Download
the Integration Sourcebook now)
(Download
the Assessment Tool now)
Two new resources are available from the Public Health Informatics
Institute to assist public health agencies that are planning or
implementing projects to integrate child health information systems.
Integration of Newborn Screening and Genetic Services Systems
with Other Maternal Child Health Systems: A Sourcebook for Planning
and Development (Integration Sourcebook), was developed
by All Kids Count, a program of the Institute, in partnership
with the Genetic Services Branch, Maternal and Child Health Bureau,
Health Resources and Services Agency.
The Integration Sourcebook identifies nine crosscutting
organizational elements essential to integrating child health information
systems, but also applicable to any information systems project,
regardless of its focus or scope. The Integration Sourcebook also
describes best practices for each element, as demonstrated by health
information systems integration projects in Colorado, Iowa, Michigan,
Missouri, Oregon, Rhode Island and Utah. Detailed case studies
of the integration projects in Missouri and Utah provide a closer
look at the key elements as in those states. The Integration
Sourcebook also includes high-level lessons learned that are
relevant to many different roles in planning and implementing a
public health information systems project, including program managers,
chief information officers, and public health executives.
Linking Newborn Metabolic Screening Information Systems with
Other Early Childhood Healthcare Information Systems: A Project
Planning and Assessment Tool, is a companion to the Integration
Sourcebook. The Planning and Assessment assists public health
teams in designing their child health information systems integration
projects from planning through early implementation. Its workbook
format helps project teams and key stakeholders to understand:
• best practices associated with information systems projects.
• organizational readiness for the information systems project.
• additional strategies required to support successful project planning
and implementation.
• accomplishments and action steps.
Ideally, the Tool helps project teams assess their organizational
readiness and capacity to undertake and sustain a project as complex
as integrating public health information systems.
