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A Resource Management Tool for Public Health Continuity of Operations During Disasters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 April 2013

Anne M. Turner ,
Blaine Reeder  and
James C. Wallace
Anne M. Turner*
Affiliation:
Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
Blaine Reeder
Affiliation:
Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
James C. Wallace
Affiliation:
Institute for Risk Analysis and Risk Communication, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Anne M. Turner, MD, MLIS, MPH, Department of Health Services, University of Washington, 1107 NE 45th St, Ste 400, Seattle WA 98105 (e-mail [email protected]).
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Abstract

Objective

We developed and validated a user-centered information system to support the local planning of public health continuity of operations for the Community Health Services Division, Public Health - Seattle & King County, Washington.

Methods

The Continuity of Operations Data Analysis (CODA) system was designed as a prototype developed using requirements identified through participatory design. CODA uses open-source software that links personnel contact and licensing information with needed skills and clinic locations for 821 employees at 14 public health clinics in Seattle and King County. Using a web-based interface, CODA can visualize locations of personnel in relationship to clinics to assist clinic managers in allocating public health personnel and resources under dynamic conditions.

Results

Based on user input, the CODA prototype was designed as a low-cost, user-friendly system to inventory and manage public health resources. In emergency conditions, the system can run on a stand-alone battery-powered laptop computer. A formative evaluation by managers of multiple public health centers confirmed the prototype design's usefulness. Emergency management administrators also provided positive feedback about the system during a separate demonstration.

Conclusions

Validation of the CODA information design prototype by public health managers and emergency management administrators demonstrates the potential usefulness of building a resource management system using open-source technologies and participatory design principles.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;0:1–7)

Keywords

snowstormpandemicstrategic decision makingcontinuity of operations planningscenario-based design
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 7 , Issue 2 , April 2013 , pp. 146 - 152
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2013 

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