Emergint joins Public Health in its fight against sexually transmitted diseases
(LOUISVILLE, KY) - In the early part of the 20th century during an outbreak of polio and influenza, it became evident that our nation needed a formal system to report infectious disease information. In 1951, the first standard list of infectious diseases was created and over the years each state wrote laws/regulations that required health care professionals to report information about these diseases. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continue to be a major public health challenge in the United States. The rate of syphilis reported in this country was at an all time low in 2000; however in 2007, the south accounted for almost 50% of the reported syphilis cases.(1) Emergint is helping Northern Kentucky health officials deal with this by collecting "real-time" data on the following sexually transmitted diseases: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and chancroid. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two of the most commonly reported infectious diseases in America but all four diseases pose significant health risks to women. Mandatory reporting provides the information necessary for public health officials to protect the public's health by tracking communicable diseases and other conditions.
In May 2008, Emergint Technologies and the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) launched a public health disease surveillance project. This project involved the St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC) and the Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department (NKIDHD). By using Emergint's Data Collection and Transformation System (DCTS) software and consulting services, the NKIDHD is able to collect data for infectious diseases from the SEMC. This software allows facilities to conduct two-way communications about diseases such as salmonella, shigella and streptococcus, but now this list will be expanded to include four non-HIV-related sexually transmitted diseases. These northern Kentucky epidemiologists and infection control specialists said that they are extremely excited about receiving additional electronic versions of the EPID200 form because it will allow them to work on other tasks.
The public can feel comfortable knowing that with the help of Emergint and its' DCTS software, the NKIDHD is more equipped to manage an outbreak involving one of these infectious diseases. Because Emergint strongly believes in patient privacy, our system encrypts all transactions to ensure that personal information is transmitted securely to the health department. This process eliminates any chance of losing the paper form and prevents facsimiles from being read by unauthorized persons.
About Emergint
Emergint is committed to providing consultation and IT services to meet the evolving management and IT demands of our clients. Through these services, Emergint enhances the client's ability to achieve their strategic mission through measurable results.
About KHA
KHA is "an advocate for the healthcare facilities, hospitals and healthcare organizations of the State." Their vision is to "represent hospitals, related health care organizations, and integrated health care systems dedicated to sustaining and improving the health status of the citizens of Kentucky."(2)
Contact:
Ms. Theodora Giagtzis
Director of Business Development
(866) 681-0149 ext. 6105
theodora.giagtzis@emergint.com