The organization has begun using handheld computing devices to help emergency response crews collect and disseminate field data more quickly and accurately. Furthermore, the CDC expects to make broad use of wireless and GPS technology in a state-of-the-art operations center, which is awaiting congressional approval.
Streamlining Data
Last fall, the United States endured a bioterrorist attack in the form of white powder sent through the mail. This spread of anthrax set into motion the combined efforts of numerous organizations to investigate its origin and contain its further spread.
"Public health is really a federation of a bunch of different organizations," said Dr. John Loonsk, associate director for Informatics with the CDC. "Some of the specimen collections and then testing was done by private contractors; some was done by state health departments; some was done by public health labs; and some was done by the CDC personnel and some was done by other federal personnel."
With information originating from this many resources, the possibility for data to be lost is high. The CDC recognized this and sought methods to keep the data intact and have a central repository to access it from.
"The number of samples that needed to be collected and managed was impressive to everyone," said Loonsk. "So one of the things that we recognized was that we really needed to have more consistency about how these data are collected so we can share them more readily."
Another issue the CDC faced was the amount of information included in the specimen collection. Not only did the organization need a place to store the data, but those involved in analyzing it had to be satisfied with the information collected.
"Another thing that we are always striving to do is get the best descriptive information on specimens and doing that in a way that really meets not only the epidemiologists' needs but the laboratorians' needs," said Loonsk.
Mobile Collection
CDC turned to mobile devices to make data collection easier and improve data management.
"One of the reasons we are interested in the handheld is to ensure that consistent data for specimens is collected and that the laboratorians -- when they get the specimen -- really know the information about it that they want," said Loonsk.
However, behind every good idea are challenges that slow momentum. "The teams tend to move around a lot, and it's unlikely a laptop would be viable in that context," said Loonsk. "Having a single device that does multiple functions in this regard is appealing. If you think about it, we're sending someone out with a blackberry, a cell phone, a laptop computer and a pager at times. It's one of the reasons why integration of these technologies is attractive."
Other challenges specific to CDC are the inability to control the effectiveness that mobile devices can offer. Issues surrounding infrastructure limitations can be detrimental in an emergency.
"The level of technical infrastructure varies tremendously when you're out in the field," said Loonsk. "Sometimes there are very mature capabilities in a state. And sometimes there are not. And we sort of have to be prepared for that and we have to be prepared for issues relative to integrating into their environment at times."
Emergency Data Center
Thanks to a $3.9 million gift by the Marcus Foundation, the CDC will soon be able to make mobile data collection a big part of an emergency response.
"There is a need for the CDC to design and equip an emergency operation center in order to be able to respond to any future events of bioterrorism or emergencies that may occur," said Michael Melneck, program officer of the CDC Foundation, a nonprofit group that helps create programs with the CDC.
The emergency operation center will coordinate the CDC's response to a public health event, whether it's an outbreak of disease or something like the World Trade Center attacks, said Melneck. "It will be staffed on a daily basis by just a few individuals. When something happens, as the agency begins to mobilize, more and more people will be drawn into the room, based on who is needed -- in other words, the type of expertise is needed for the response."
A temporary center will be built this fall, with the permanent center waiting for congressional appropriation. When it is built, mobile technology will be included in the CDC's vision.
"As part of this facility, they're purchasing equipment for the teams that are going out in the field," said Melneck. "So when they're dispatching a team, the team will have things such as secure satellite communications."
Emergency response personnel also will carry GPS-equipped handheld computers with built-in scanners so they can scan data and record its location. They'll have their special laptops in the hard cases for rough travel, said Melneck. And CDC personnel in the operation center will be feed reports and other data from the teams in the field.
The Marcus Foundation gift will fund equipment that will go inside the new operation facility. But the gift stipulates that if the CDC needs equipment sooner, the organization can use part of the first million to buy technology and simply transfer it into the new facility upon its completion.
"So, we're actively trying to acquire what we can for CDC, so if they had another event, let's say a month from now, they would be able to connect all this stuff whether it's in a new auditorium or in their temporary room," said Melneck.
