Disease Surveillance Modernization
Project (MEDSS)
How it works
What is MEDSS?
 An integrated and shared disease
surveillance system for the public health in
Minnesota
– Improve reporting through standardized
electronic exchange
– Improve monitoring and analyses of data
– Improve responses to outbreaks, incidents and
trends in disease
– Improve reporting to CDC
Why do we need a new system?
 Currently MDH reports and tracks over 50
diseases in different systems
 These isolated systems:
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Are inefficient and costly
Require duplicated data-entry
Cause duplication of data/cases
Makes it hard to analyze and see trends
Are not compliant with new CDC requirements
Isolated Systems (current view)
LPH A
MDH Program A
MDH Program B
LPH B
Disease B and C
Disease A
MDH Program C
LPH B
MDH Program B
LPH B
Field Epi
Disease D
NETSS
ICP
Bluecard
CDC
Integrated System
MEDSS allows each program area,
both internal and external partners, to
use the system to report cases
MEDSS aids in two–way
communication and tracking
MEDSS will send the report to CDC,
instead of multiple reports from
different systems in different formats
Integrated and Shared System (goal)
Field Epi
ICP A
LPH A
MDH Program A
MEDSS
MDH Program B
LPH B
MDH Program B
LPH B
MDH Program C
MDH Program D
LPH B
?
CDC
ICP
How this works Electronically
Electronic lab reports are sent to
MEDSS
MEDSS creates a new case or adds
lab report to existing person
System notifies users of new case
Case is reviewed, modified or marked
complete and electronically sent to
CDC
LPH
Msg
HIE
Msg
Messaging
MEDSS
Msg
Case information
Provider, hospital
EMR System
Case
reports
Rhapsody
ELR
PHIN-MS
Laboratories
LIMS systems
Messaging
HL7
2.5.1
Case ascertainment
Case management
Msg out
Investigations
PHIN-MS
Notifications
CDC
Future implementation
How this works Manual entry
MDH receives a fax or yellow card from
local public health or a health care
provider
MDH creates a new case
Cases can be shared and linked to
spot outbreaks and track locations
Case is reviewed, modified or marked
complete and electronically sent to
CDC
Changes
 Electronic way to receive reports from providers and
labs
 Secure web interface where you can login to:
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Create new case reports
See ‘own’ reports/cases
Add information about cases and outbreaks
Run reports (case counts, overviews etc)
Print case information
Get a quick overview of the current situation etc
 Two way communication with systems at LPH (if
needed)
Questions?
MN Dept of Health
Health.MEDSS@state.mn.us