July SnapShots: Provider Participation Work Group Holds First Meetings

CDC's Provider Participation Work Group (PPWG), which is working to increase participation in immunization registries, had a face-to-face meeting in Atlanta on May 20th and then participated in a teleconference on June 13th. Fourteen different organizations participate in the PPWG and each had representation at both meetings.

The meetings have centered on establishing an organizational structure for the group, understanding the problems before moving to solutions, and determining the best approach for addressing issues that impact registry participation. Topics for on-going discussion during monthly teleconferences include:

• Communicating the impact (or lack of impact) of HIPAA on immunization registries
• Establishing a "registry clearinghouse" to facilitate the sharing of best practices and lessons learned
• Promoting registry functions at the practice level
• Integrating with other child health programs and systems

Plans are to eventually break into various committees that will focus on topic areas and to task members with the responsibility of identifying issues and resources and then recommending and/or implementing solutions. When forming committees, we will recruit other individuals in pertinent fields to participate. CDC is currently maintaining a contact file on anyone interested in working on these committees. Please contact Karen Fowler at 404-639-8295 or at kgf1@cdc.gov if you are interested in serving on a PPWG committee. (Source: Karen Fowler, CDC)

July 2002 SnapShots Headlines