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Texas Medicine: In what ways do you think health information exchange (HIE) and health information technol- ogy (HIT) have the potential to facilitate higher quality, safer care?


Dr. Erlinger: Just digitizing informa- tion isn’t enough; we need to under- stand the value. We need to determine what information to exchange and how to use the information effectively and safely while focusing on the privacy and security of the data.


HIE at the clinical level, for instance, could decrease duplication of testing and could improve patient safety. It might be useful for communities that want to measure their efforts and get a comprehensive view of the health issues and the health care system in their area.


Texas Medicine: What are the biggest health challenges Texas faces?


Dr. Erlinger: Health challenges vary by region in Texas, and we have significant initiatives in place to reduce the num- ber of preterm births, improve our un- derstanding of the impact mental illness has on patients’ health, and reduce the incidence of preventable hospitalizations. Preventable hospitalizations account for billions of dollars in health care charges each year. Hospitalizations for bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, con- gestive heart failure, urinary tract infec- tions, asthma, and other diseases are considered potentially preventable. We can’t prevent these hospitaliza- tions until we address their causes at the community level. We need to exam- ine factors that lead to better control of chronic diseases. One community may have a high volume of residents with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, for example. Public health officials and health professionals in that community can work together to design an initiative that will help prevent hospitalizations for the disease. In addition, Texas is constantly strug- gling to combat obesity in children and adults and to reduce smoking and tobac- co use among residents. These are areas public health continually focuses on that have no quick fix. The bottom line is that


Texas is a large state with many health challenges. Having a positive impact re- quires teamwork, and that’s what we are all working toward.


Local epidemiologists fight disease


Epidemiologists in Texas work with lo- cal and state partners to improve the public’s health. Whether overseeing dis- ease outbreak investigations at a county health department or tracking antibiotic- resistant bacteria in hospitals, epidemiol- ogists are vital and rely on physicians to help them make a positive impact. The profiles that follow examine the role of epidemiologists and their approaches to disease surveillance and public health response.


Outbreak investigator Wendy Chung, MD, MSPH, has been chief epidemiologist of Dallas County Health and Human Services since 2007. She’s a 2011 graduate of the TMA Lead- ership College. She says public health epidemiology gives her a bird’s eye view of local disease trends. “I get satisfaction from connecting with physicians to determine the source of an outbreak. For me, public health ep- idemiology offers a unique opportunity to participate in the implementation of control measures and the development of preventive measures, as well,” she said.


Wendy Chung, MD, MSPH


The 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak was one of her more memorable dis- ease outbreak investigations. It involved close collaboration with area physicians, DSHS, and CDC. Dr. Chung describes the response as “a template for future infectious disease disasters.” “Lessons from H1N1 provided models for timely commu- nication between physicians and pub- lic health. It also highlighted the im- portance of strong dialogue between practicing physi- cians and health departments,” she said.


She says front- March 2012 TEXAS MEDICINE 51


American Physicians Insurance Company ..................................................25


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Texas Health Steps............... 18, 31, 43, 44 Texas Medical Association Practice Consulting ..................3, 26, 40 Facebook ..................................................48 TEXMED 2012 ..........................................54


Texas Medical Association Insurance Trust ...........................................................BC


Texas Medical Liability Trust ............... IFC TEXPAC .........................................................39 Texas Mutual Insurance Co ....................34 West, Webb, Allbritton and Gentry, PC ................................................53 Westat ...........................................................32


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