DOH releases five-year plan for data and systems modernization

The Washington State Department of Health finalized its vision for a modernized public health system in a recently released five-year plan. The goal of the Data Modernization Initiative (DMI) is to move from siloed public health data systems to a connected, resilient, adaptable, and sustainable “response ready” data ecosystem that can help us solve problems before they happen and reduce the harm caused by problems when they do.

Here are the strategic objectives for data and systems modernization we will meet over the next five years.

• Connect siloed disease systems that are keeping us from seeing the complete public health picture in Washington state.
• Provide a one-stop shop for the public health workforce to upgrade skills in new technologies and data reporting.
• Reduce the reporting burden on health care providers, local health jurisdictions, and Tribes.
• Standardize reporting processes for improved collaboration.
• Replace old technologies with new ones that are flexible, robust, and scalable.
• Assist in improving public health data ecosystem by upgrading Electronic Health Record capabilities.
• Seek opportunities to address upstream barriers.
• Improve surveillance data reporting to the public.

Additionally, the team will follow the priorities and vision agency leadership has outlined in the Washington State Department of Health Transformational Plan.

To accomplish this task, DOH is dedicating significant resources to developing new systems and providing expectations, guidelines, and training. But we are not doing this alone. The agency has already conducted a Data Modernization Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis (view summary) with local health jurisdictions and is working directly with Tribal partners to gather their concerns and feedback. Using this input, the agency created a five-year plan (view summary).

Communication

DOH is committed to regularly communicating with our partners and providing feedback opportunities regarding the Data Modernization Initiative. The plans will ensure stakeholders at DOH, LHJs, and Tribal partners are at the table, prioritizing their input in the development and implementation of the plans, and maintaining communications about ongoing progress toward achieving data modernization and workforce development goals.

For an overview of DOH’s data modernization plan visit Data Modernization Initiative Project Planning on the DOH website. Contact us at DataModFeedback@doh.wa.gov.