Information technology management in local health departments: Implications for emergency preparedness

In the United States, public health departments play a key role in preparing for and responding to emergency incidents affecting their community's health. As such, their ability to effectively and efficiently undertake their responsibilities has been given considerable attention by our Nation's leadership. An area of concern is the adequacy of the public health infrastructure, revealed to be inadequate to manage emergencies during the 2001 9/11 and anthrax terrorist events. Since 2001, federal resources have been allocated to strengthen the public health infrastructure, and many local health departments (LHDs) across the United States have received funding for emergency preparedness activities.;This research examines one component of the public health infrastructure---information and data systems. This research examines information technology (IT) management practices within LHDs, and the implications for the management of the IT supported by emergency preparedness funding. A survey instrument was developed with indicators relevant to (1) measuring IT management practices, (2) understanding whether LHDs have effectively established IT supporting emergency preparedness, and (3) documenting LHDs directors' perceptions about the extent to which their department is emergency ready.;Two respondents from each "large" LHD were targeted for inclusion in the survey---the Director of IT and Emergency Preparedness Director (EP Director). There are approximately 133 large LHDs---defined as an agency serving a health jurisdiction with a population totaling more than 500,000. Forty-three LHDs participated in the survey. A total of 63 surveys were completed---29 by an IT Director; 34 by the EP Director.;The findings reveal none of the LHDs rate as high performers on all or a majority of indicators relevant to effectively managing IT---either organizationally or with respect to the IT supporting emergency preparedness---or having effectively in place the IT of relevance to emergency preparedness. Seven LHDs rated as high performers for managing their emergency preparedness IT; three LHDs rated as high performers with respect to emergency prepared. About one-fourth of the LHDs are medium performers. The survey findings highlight areas where additional attention is required to effectively establish the public health IT infrastructure LHDs need to effectively assure their community's health.