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Oregon Immunization ALERT: Frequently Asked Questions What is ALERT? Why do we need ALERT? Who pays for ALERT? Who has access to ALERT's information? When can I access information from ALERT? My patients are fully immunized—why would I be interested in participating in ALERT? Is ALERT mandatory? Does a clinic have to have a computer in order to participate in and access ALERT? Questions about ALERT? ALERT is a statewide immunization information system, which was developed to achieve complete and timely immunization of all children age 0-18. A major barrier to reaching this goal is the continuing difficulty of keeping immunization records accurate and up-to-date. ALERT helps solve this problem by collecting immunization data from public and private health care providers and linking the records. Even if a child receives immunizations from more than one health care provider in Oregon, the goal of Immunization ALERT is to merge the immunization data from all providers to create a current record for the child. This helps health care providers and parents keep track of what immunizations Oregon's children need and when they need them. As of November 2004, there were over 1.8 million children in the ALERT system, and over 27 million immunizations were reported from hundreds of private and public sites. Our immunization rates are too low. According to the 2003 National Immunization Survey, the current statewide immunization completion rate for two-year-olds is 76.5%. Most children receive their immunizations at more than one provider. This makes keeping a complete immunization record difficult. ALERT keeps track of children's immunization records in one location, so that providers and parents will have immediate access to the child's full immunization record, regardless of how many different places a child received his or her shots. ALERT helps parents keep their children immunization's current by sending recall postcards when their two-year-old child is past due for shots. This will improve immunization rates by keeping parents current on the dates when their children need to receive further immunizations. ALERT also informs health care providers of patients who are past due for immunizations. ALERT is a public/private partnership funded by health plans, hospital systems, Oregon Health Services (HS) and the Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP). Who has access to ALERT's information? The legislation creating ALERT only allows access of immunization information to authorized users. The law permits providers licensed to provide health care services in Oregon, managed health care systems, health service contractors, hospitals, insurance carriers, and the Office of Medical Assistance Programs to access information. It also allows the Oregon Health Services, local health departments and their delegate agencies, schools, and children's facilities to have access. Providers may obtain information on children currently under their care. Parents and guardians may also obtain information on their own child's immunizations. When can I access information from ALERT? Internet: ALERT has secure web access for most authorized users to search for a child's immunization history available 24 hours a day. Children up to age 17, who have immunizations in ALERT, are included in this web-based system. ALERT encourages all eligible authorized users to access and use this function. This is a very popular service, and over 3,400 health professionals in Oregon use ALERT to ensure that children are properly immunized. Email:ohd.alert@state.or.us
My patients are fully immunized—why would I be interested in participating in ALERT? Studies show that children in Oregon typically receive immunizations from more than one provider, making it difficult for providers to guarantee their patients are up-to-date. By participating in ALERT, providers, parents, and schools will have immediate access to the child's full immunization record, regardless of how many different places a child received his or her shots.No, but the ALERT system has several benefits to health care providers. Currently, approximately 86% of private clinics in Oregon are participating in the ALERT system and 100% of public clinics are part of the system. With all private and public providers contributing to the ALERT system, the system will function at its best—giving both providers and parents the information they need for proper immunization.
Does a clinic have to have a computer in order to participate in and access ALERT? No. Data can be sent in hard copy form to Oregon Immunization ALERT. Accessing ALERT is simple. In addition to web access, ALERT provides immunization records through a toll-free line, fax, and email. |
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