Policy Aspects of Technology Modernization

Summary

This is a Washington State Department of Health slide presentation, Policy Aspects of Technology Modernization, by Les Becker, Chief of Innovation and Technology. It states that the Department of Health works with others to protect and improve the health of all people in Washington State, and lists systems that underpin statutory requirements. Under key IT modernization projects, it lists a Salesforce-based Health Enforcement Licensing Management System replacing a 20-yr old legacy system, serving 500,000 professionals and 12,000 facility credentials per year, a Laboratory Information Management System Replacement Project, and a Public Health Data Systems Feasibility Study. Other slides state that many systems are outdated and incompatible with modern applications.

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Issuer: Congressional materials
Document type: 2025 02 05 A32658 D277994 Doh Policy Aspects Of Technology Modernization
Date: 2025-02-05
Case: 2025 02 05 A32658 D277994 Doh Policy Aspects Of Technology Modernization

Cite this document

“Policy Aspects of Technology Modernization.” Original at app.leg.wa.gov, dated 2025-02-05. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/2025-02-05-2025-02-05-a32658-d277994-doh-policy-aspects-of-technology-modernization/, SHA-256 ffe9c0fa3766d61703ae755ad84c2a7439fb153d76e32a10a379da7c82f823cd.

Full text

POLICY ASPECTS OF
TECHNOLOGY MODERNIZATION
Les Becker, Chief of Innovation and Technology
Department of Health Mission

• The Department of Health works with others to protect and
improve the health of all people in Washington State.
• Our core values are Equity, Innovation and Engagement.
• Technology plays a critical role in meeting this mission and
carrying out our values.

RCW 43.70.005: Intent
Washington State Department of Health | 2
DOH Systems
Underpinning Statutory Requirements

Types of Data Collected & Reported:
• Behavioral Risk Factors.
• Near real-time hospital and clinic patient diagnosis data.
• Comprehensive reporting for admitted hospital patients.
• Community Health Assessment.
• Disease Reporting.
• Healthy Youth Survey.
• Foodborne Illness.
• Vital Records and Statistics. (Birth, death, marriage, and divorce.)

RCW 43.70.050: Collection, use, and accessibility of health-related data

Washington State Department of Health | 3
DOH Technology
Underpinning Statutory Requirements

Complex Data Collection and Reporting Landscape:
• Federal reporting systems. (RHINO, Cancer Registry, WIC)
• Spreadsheet data collection.
o Includes a lot of environmental data.
o Manual data collection/management.
o Data is less accessible for reuse.
• DOH supported systems. (WDRS, FINS)
o Providers submit to local health jurisdictions through systems.
o Legacy system struggle to meet needs of tribal partners.
• Systems shared with other state agencies (MPI, HYS)

RCW 43.70.050: Collection, use, and accessibility of health-related data

Washington State Department of Health | 4
DOH Systems
Underpinning Statutory Requirements

Additional DOH Systems:
• Licensing: ILRS/HELMS
• Public Health Systems:
o OneHealthPort – Electronic Lab and Syndromic Surveillance
o AIMS – Association of Public Health Laboratories APHL Informatics
Messaging Services
o WEMSIS – Washington Emergency Medical Services Information System
o LIMS – Laboratory Information Management System

Chapter 70.41 RCW: HOSPITAL LICENSING AND REGULATION
RCW 43.70.220: Transfer of powers and duties from the department of licensing.
RCW 43.70.130: Powers and duties of secretary—General.
Washington State Department of Health | 5
Key IT Modernization Projects

• Health Enforcement Licensing Management System:
o Salesforce-based system manages licensing and enforcement.
o Replacing a 20-yr old legacy system.
o Set to implement the 2nd release in February.
o Serving 500,000 professionals and 12,000 facility credentials per year.
• Laboratory Information Management System Replacement Project:
o Modernizing Public Health Lab operations.
o Replacing a 20-yr old legacy system.
• Public Health Data Systems Feasibility Study :
o Modernizing systems for better disease surveillance and data reporting.

Washington State Department of Health | 6
Legacy Systems and Limitations

• Many systems are outdated and incompatible
with modern applications.
• Legacy systems limit data integration and
interoperability.
• Older technology slows responses to public
health threats, requiring costly workarounds.
• Limits ability to meet the needs of tribal public
health authorities.

Washington State Department of Health | 7
Policies Where Technology is the Limiting Factor

• Data Sharing & Interoperability:
o Legacy systems hinder seamless data sharing across agencies.
• Workforce Management:
o Outdated HR and payroll systems slow down staff recruitment and
management.
• Regulatory Compliance:
o Old systems hinder timely reporting and tracking for health professionals.

Washington State Department of Health | 8
Policies Where Technology is the Limiting Factor

• Data Privacy Laws:
o Legacy systems and technology limitations.
o Lack of standardized tools and capabilities like data deletion.
o Consent management and ability to process consumer requests.
• Licensing and Enforcement Policies:
o Require IT system configuration changes.
• Cybersecurity standards and policies:
o Legacy systems.
o Lack of updated infrastructure.
o Resource limitations slow down DOH’s ability to fully comply with
cybersecurity standards, leaving vulnerabilities.

Washington State Department of Health | 9
How Technology Helps DOH
Meet Statutory Requirements

• Investment in modernization is essential for improving regulatory
compliance and to support better health outcomes.
• Supportive IT Policies:
o Promote continued technology modernization to protect Washington
residents.
o Develop centralized technology services that allow for better
interoperability between agencies.
o Specify what needs to happen versus how it needs to happen within
technology.

Washington State Department of Health | 10
To request this document in another format, call 1-800-525-0127. Deaf or hard of
hearing customers, please call 711 (Washington Relay) or email civil.rights@doh.wa.gov.

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Original: app.leg.wa.gov