Title :
Management of vaccine inventories as a critical health resource
Author :
Conn, Robert ; Welch, Frank J. ; Popovich, Michael L.
Abstract :
This article presents the results of the Louisiana 2007 statewide influenza mass-vaccination event drill for emergency preparedness. This drill simulated a mass-immunization event to determine the value of using the state´s immunization registry to provide real-time information to decision makers in emergency command centers to support vaccine utilization and regional needs. The goal was to determine the value of real-time data and, in particular, to determine how the statewide registry could support these efforts. In this context, a project was designed for health providers at specific state-designated vaccine points of distribution to capture vaccine utilization data with real-time reporting to command centers to determine demand and availability of vaccine supplies.
Keywords :
drugs; government policies; health care; medical information systems; medical supplies; patient treatment; AD 2007; Louisiana mass immunization exercise; Louisiana state immunization registry; critical health resource; emergency command centers; emergency decision making; emergency preparedness; real time information; statewide influenza mass vaccination event drill; vaccine availability; vaccine demand; vaccine distribution points; vaccine inventory management; vaccine utilization data; Availability; Databases; Disaster management; Diseases; Influenza; Inventory management; Pediatrics; Public healthcare; Resource management; Vaccines; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.); Disaster Planning; Health Resources; Humans; Influenza Vaccines; Louisiana; Mass Immunization; Patient Simulation; Public Health; United States; Vaccines;
Journal_Title :
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Magazine, IEEE
DOI :
10.1109/MEMB.2008.929884
