Open AccessUsing the Collaborative Requirements Development Methodology to Build Laboratory Capacity for Timely Diagnosis During the Zika Epidemic in Puerto Rico
Author(s) -
Juneka H. Rembert,
Carlos S. Zometa,
Patrick W. O’Carroll,
Anabelle L. Licier,
Carol McPhillips-Tangum,
Piper M. Hale
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of public health management and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.771
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1550-5022
pISSN - 1078-4659
DOI - 10.1097/phh.0000000000001130
Subject(s) - zika virus , arbovirus , context (archaeology) , health informatics , informatics , vendor , computer science , engineering , medicine , knowledge management , engineering management , business , public health , geography , pathology , virology , virus , archaeology , marketing , electrical engineering
In 2016, Puerto Rico became the focal point of the Zika epidemic, with more than 36 000 laboratory-confirmed cases before August. The Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDH) responded by providing tests to symptomatic and asymptomatic pregnant women. The increased demand for Zika testing placed unprecedented strain on the laboratory capacity and information management processes used within the PRDH. The PRDH recognized the need to have an updated informatics system that securely manages, stores, and transmits digital data. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded the Public Health Informatics Institute to collaborate with the PRDH to assess and improve the informatics capability to respond to the ongoing Zika virus transmission in Puerto Rico.