Arizona Department of Public Health: The Challenges of Preparing for a Public Health Emergency

Lynda M. Applegate; Ajay   Vinze; T. S.   Raghu; Minu   Ipe

Case | HBS Case Collection | September 2006 (Revised December 2006)

Arizona Department of Public Health: The Challenges of Preparing for a Public Health Emergency

by Lynda M. Applegate, Ajay Vinze, T. S. Raghu and Minu Ipe

Abstract

In the post-9/11 era information technology enablement for emergency preparedness and response have taken on increased significance. Public health organizations like ADHS play a critical role in any statewide preparation for large scale emergencies. With issues like bio-terrorism surveillance being added to a list of critical responsibilities for public health there is an urgent need to leverage IT infrastructure to meet new challenges. Historically lean funding cycles for public health has not allowed for fundamental information technology-based reach extensions. An infusion of $9.3 million from CDC has allowed ADHS to broaden its coverage through the creative use of information technology. As an initial step, ADHS initiated the development and deployment of MEDSIS. This project is causing public health in Arizona to re-evaluate their workflow and business processes as they collaborate with various counties in delivering public health effectively.

Keywords: Problems and Challenges; Information Technology; Health Care and Treatment; Business Processes; Service Delivery; National Security; Health Industry; Public Administration Industry; Arizona;

Format: Print

21 pages

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Citation:

Applegate, Lynda M., Ajay Vinze, T. S. Raghu, and Minu Ipe. "Arizona Department of Public Health: The Challenges of Preparing for a Public Health Emergency." Harvard Business School Case 807-016, September 2006. (Revised December 2006.)

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Arizona Department of Public Health: The Challenges of Preparing for a Public Health Emergency

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