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Kentucky
Becomes First State to Link Health Departments - Uses Kentucky Info
Highway
Regular visitors to any of Kentucky's
local health departments (LHD) across the state probably can see the
difference. But behind the scenes, health department workers are now
enjoying a much more robust communications network which is improving
service to their customers. Thanks to a recent upgrade, approximately
2,000 computers
statewide are now linked and are sharing common access to shared database
systems, e-mail connectivity to each other and other agencies, and universal
access to the Internet. The system utilizes the Kentucky Information
Highway (KIH), a unique technology partnership between state government
and the private sector. And the investment makes Kentucky the first
state in the U.S. to have all of its health departments connected through
a statewide, integrated computer network.
Prior to Kentucky’s
efforts to assure that computer systems and operational databases were
year 2000 (Y2k) compliant, Kentucky’s local health departments
utilized a predominantly dumb terminal method of keying health information
into operational database systems. These systems were used for the accounting
and retention of health services provided to the community. While some
health departments had personal computer systems on hand, these systems
were of varying types with differing operating systems, versions of
software, peripherals and systems capacity.
The combined
and diverse equipment within LHDs provided limited assistance in planning
and automating public health functions. Security was provided through
password and direct terminal access to the contracted database. In 2000,
this method of data access was being evaluated in relation to meeting
the security requirements for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act (HIPAA) of 1996. 
In order to
enable the Cabinet for Health Services (CHS) to establish new operational
database applications and provide common communication capabilities,
it was necessary to establish the framework for communication through
a compatible computer network infrastructure. Accordingly, the CHS Empower
Kentucky project invested in the purchase of 846 personal computers,
which were made available to 55 local health departments in order to
replace all of the dumb terminal connections. The project also connected
any previously existing and locally purchased PCs to the KIH, where
the PC capacity, operating system and associated software permitted.
Major benefits of
the new system include:
- Operational
data marts providing historical information related to finance and
patient services for each LHD
- Retrieval
and submission of budget planning documents in electronic format through
the DPH-LHD computer domain
- Communication
through email which has served to reduced costs associated with telecommunication
- Access
to the Internet for research and for day-to-day business needs
- Electronic
access to state price contracts for equipment purchase
- School
site connectivity for more automated nursing support
- The
ability to disseminate information related to Health Alerts to LHDs
- Improved
security and virus protection
Visit Kentucky's
Cabinet for Health Services at: http://chs.ky.gov
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