PROWing from the Desert to the Sea

Using the Programmatic Registry Operations Workgroup (PROW) standards in a regional registry in southern California presents challenges and opportunities. The initial challenge was how to undertake the assessment process when our registry consists of two distinct computer applications and systems at different stages of the development —San Diego County's registry is in transition from a closed client-server system to shortly be web-based. Imperial County's registry is a subset of their county's overall client information technology system. Both systems are completely distinct; however, we exchange information and ideas. With this in mind, we decided to complete the PROW assessment separately, prioritize the standards, and then combine the results to find common areas for improvement. This process was achieved via telephone conferences since our county seats are distant—from east to west, it's a trip from the farm land, through the desert, over the mountain pass, and finally to the sea. Our common ground was found in prioritized "could meet" standards — those components that could be achieved with just a little infusion of funds for software programming time. Using PROW, we're mobilizing our resource development experts to pursue funding opportunities to add such features like broadcast messaging to providers about registry and other immunization information and events and as we put it, "PROWing" has opened our eyes to many opportunities that can marry our mature immunization programs with this fledgling and promising tool — the immunization registry!

Source: Anne Cordon, San Diego Regional Immunization Registry

January 2004 SnapShots Headlines