National Immunization Program
Seeks Registries to Pilot Certification Process

The National Immunization Program's (NIP), Systems Development Branch (SDB) is currently inviting immunization registries to volunteer to participate as pilot sites for the recently completed certification process. The purpose of certification is to measure an immunization registry's attainment of a set of 12 minimum functional standards available at http://www.cdc.gov/nip/registry/mfs2001.pdf. The Technical Working Group (TWG) completed its recommendation for certification and presented the recommendation to NIP management staff on January 31, 2002. NIP management accepted the TWG recommendation and agreed that the next step is for the SDB and TWG to pilot test the certification recommendation at 3-5 immunization registries.

By volunteering to serve as a pilot site for certification, a registry will go through the entire certification process. The registry will be required to submit preliminary documentation (e.g., confidentiality policies, security plan), and then a team of SDB staff and TWG members will conduct a 4-5 day site visit. During the site visit, the registry will be asked to generate data reports, demonstrate registry functions, and arrange a visit for the team with a participating provider. Registries participating in the pilots will have the unique opportunity to provide input on the criteria and methodology developed for certifying the functional standards and will receive a written report assessing the registry's strengths and weaknesses for each functional standard.

When pilot testing is completed, the certification recommendation will be revised as needed. Documentation describing the certification criteria and process will be made available as well as instructions for registry projects as they prepare for certification. When certification is available to all registries, it will be a voluntary process, performed at the request of a registry, based on its self-determination of readiness. In order to be certified, a registry must meet all 12 of the minimum functional standards. Data collection and analysis will be conducted by a contract organization. An Immunization Registry Certification Commission, initially consisting of current TWG members, will review the data and analysis and make the determination of whether to certify the registry or not. Registries that do not agree with the initial decision of the certification commission will have the option of appeal.

If you are interested in becoming a pilot site, please contact Julie Gamez at (404) 639-8169 or fzw4@cdc.gov for more information.

Source: Julie Gamez, CDC

April 2002 SnapShots Headlines