The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #49789

Michael A. DeGuzman, MPH¹, Jennifer L. Jones, MS¹, A. Chantal Caviness, MD², and Joan E. Shook, MD MBA². (1) Baylor Injury Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 6621 Fannin St Ste A210, MC1-1481, Houston, TX 77030, (832) 824-2642, deguzman@bcm.tmc.edu, (2) Department of Pediatrics Section of Emergency Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 6621 Fannin St, MC1-1481, Houston, TX 77030

OBJECTIVES: Studies have demonstrated the value of linking data for injury prevention. However, significant community involvement and preparation is necessary before implementation. This project’s purpose was to identify and solve key issues affecting the planning and development of a pediatric injury data system using linked data. METHODS: We built a coalition of pediatric injury data stakeholders called Houston Trauma LINK – Linking Information Networking Knowledge. Multidisciplinary membership consisted of organizations representing the trauma response, care, and reporting continuum - some of which included police, schools, community planning, healthcare, justice, and public health research. With 25 founding member organizations, the coalition conducted a series of meetings to discuss technical and non-technical issues affecting the implementation of a pediatric injury data system using linked data. Project staff assisted members with best practice identification, assessments, modeling, testing, and strategic planning. RESULTS: Identification of major barriers included HIPAA, poor data quality, absent evaluation, and vague public health policy on regional surveillance roles. Key decisions were made on membership, authorship, publication credit, ownership, internal and external release of data, and data request procedures. The coalition also produced data sharing legal agreement documents and a five-year implementation plan. CONCLUSIONS: Identification and resolution of key technical and non-technical issues is a necessary bridge in both coalition building and linked-data system development. Documenting a community’s data readiness and feasibility for linked data, identifying best practices and solutions, and modeling applications of a system are viable strategies in mobilizing community planners.

Learning Objectives:

• 2. Discuss advantages of using linked data to develop an injury data system.
  4. Identify key technical and non-technical issues impacting the planning and development of a pediatric injury data system.
  6. List technical and non-technical solutions to developing a pediatric injury data system.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.