Emergint software helps identify flu virus in Kentucky
(LOUISVILLE, KY) On April 29, the IT staff at Emergint Technologies immediately responded to a request for help in identifying cases of influenza and monitoring emergency room patient volume. This request from the Kentucky Department of Public Health was in response to the expanding outbreak of the H1N1 flu strain. In less than five (5) hours, Emergint's team initiated the data collection process at all installations of its Kentucky Community Surveillance system to detect and report ER visits and the existence of flu cases. Kentucky Community Surveillance identifies suspicious events and enables infectious disease reporting staff at hospitals to send information electronically to the Public Health Department.
In May 2008, Emergint Technologies and the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) launched the Kentucky Community Surveillance system using Emergint's Data Collection and Transformation System (DCTS) software. Since that time, Emergint's software has been collecting and reporting data on numerous infectious diseases in addition to producing an electronic version of the EPID200 form.
The process of identifying individuals with H1N1 flu is a multi-step, time-consuming approach because there is no single test that can identify this specific virus and additional tests must be performed at Public Health Laboratories. Kentucky Community Surveillance now identifies rapid Influenza A test results, allowing for immediate identification and reporting, which reduces the time and effort required to notify Public Health officials. For more information visit: http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ or call the CDC's information line at 1-800-232-4636. Individuals can also visit: http://healthalerts.ky.gov.
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.
Contact:
Ms. Theodora Giagtzis
Director of Business Development
(866) 681-0149 ext. 6105
theodora.giagtzis@emergint.com