Other ideas include huge leaps, which will substantiall

1
What Do States Want in Web-MICAR?

• Donna Glenn Steven Rushing
• National Center for Health Statistics
• July 2006

2
What is Web-MICAR?

• Web-MICAR is the planned (re-)development in the
  MMDS software which brings the MMDS suite more in
  sync with current (or recent) technologies by
  integrating web-based functions with the current
  MMDS functionality.
• Web-MICAR is currently in the design stage and so
  many different ideas are being discussed and
  examined.

3
So, what are we talking about?

• The range of options being discussed is fairly
  broad.
• Some ideas call for small steps, relatively minor
  additions which will not require drastic changes
  in operation or (hopefully) lengthy amounts of
  programming time but will produce noticeable
  improvements in use of the system
• Other ideas include huge leaps, which will
  substantially change many MMDS features and
  require extensive programming and resources.

4
Examples! Give us some examples!!

• The following are some ideas we are working on.
• Please keep in mind, these are just ideas at this
  stage. They are notions in design stage, so
  details will be likely to change somewhat as
  actual work gets underway.
• They will also change as the result of input from
  people like you.

5
Small Step Send to NCHS

• This change would add a Send to NCHS menu item
  which would actually, in fact, send the batch to
  NCHS using the web.
• It would be a transfer similar to the current SDN
  method, utilizing similar levels of protection
  and encryption for security, but would
  automatically handle a lot of the input such as
  which file to be sent and so forth.
• A log would be generated noting the date and time
  the file was sent, and likely kept with the file.

6
Small Step Retrieve File

• This feature would be added to MMDS as a menu
  item. It would automate the process of retrieving
  files such as TRANSAX files from NCHS.
• Again, much of the functions and security of the
  current SDN would be included, just made easier
  and integrated with the already existing MMDS
  paths setup.

7
Small Steps Automatic Updates

• This feature would automate the distribution and
  installation of new MMDS versions.
• Your system would automatically notice new
  releases, likely prompt you to confirm you want
  to update, and then install the updates for you,
  without the need of a CD release and all that
  hassle.
• It might also read your current configuration and
  setup the new installation to use a similar
  installation, prompting you to confirm.

8
Small Step Web-based Installs

• This is similar to the automatic updates but
  would be designed for installing the MMDS system
  on a new PC using the web.
• We are already planning to move now to releasing
  new versions using the web and our web site at
  http//www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/dvs/medsof.htm
  which is how MMDS 2006.03 (ACME
  only update) was released and likely how 2007.01
  will be released as well.

9
Small Step Troubleshooting Log

• This will add a menu item which will
  automatically email a file to our help desk
  MICAR_at_CDC.GOV containing useful info we can use
  to help diagnose any problems you have with the
  MMDS system.
• This should speed things up in terms of figuring
  out what went wrong and why, in those, obviously,
  rare (very rare actually, almost never happens)
  moments when MMDS has problems.

10
Small Steps FastTRAX

• This feature would produce a partial TRANSAX file
  right away, filled with the records the system
  processes automatically without need for manual
  coding.
• Currently, the typical file has between 80-85 of
  its records process automatically without needing
  reject coding for Underlying cause or Multiple
  causes. Those good records stay with the
  rejects until all the records are coded.
• Using FastTRAX, states could get their 80-85
  right away and only wait for NCHS to return the
  rejects.

11
Small Steps Unified TRANSAX

• This feature would involve a revised record
  format, but it would incorporate the SuperMICAR
  literals all through the system.
• The final TRANSAX file would include then both
  the original literal text from SuperMICAR and the
  ICD codes already in TRANSAX.
• This one unified file would make searching and
  querying the records much simpler in practice.

12
Huge Leap Record Processing

• This revision would step away from batch
  processing, treating each record individually and
  automating most of the transfer of data to
  totally behind the scenes.
• One record would be flowing through the system
  while the next record was being entered.
• Records needing manual intervention would pop-up
  to specified users almost like receiving an email
  that they would then open, code, send and move on
  to other things.

13
Huge Leap Truly Webbed MICAR

• This revision would eliminate the need, but not
  the option, to have a large MMDS suite installed
  on your system.
• A smaller system would be installed and it would
  rely on web access to an MMDS server for most
  processing functions. In case of internet outage,
  files would be cached until access was restored.
• Another option would be for you to use no MMDS
  system on your PC and simply point a browser to
  an NCHS server, where you could log in and do
  data entry and perhaps coding.

14
The Big Question

• What Do You Want?
• We have some ideas, as you have seen, but first
  tell us what you want.
• Which of these features would be of use to you?
• Which ones would concern you?
• What ideas other than these do you have?

15
How do you tell us what you want?

• You can fill out the questionnaire we have
  provided to you today and return it to us here at
  the conference.
• You can take it home and mail it back to us at
  NCHS. Address follows on the next slide.
• You can download a copy from the web site at
  http//www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/dvs/medsof.htm
  and email it to use at MICAR_at_CDC.GOV

16
Our Mailing Address

• Send physical snail mail to
• Steven Rushing
• NCHS
• PO Box 12214
• Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

17
Join the Discussion

• You can download this slide presentation at our
  website along with the questionnaire at
  http//www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/dvs/medsof.htm
  
• You can also engage in or observe ongoing
  discussion at our Web-MICAR Yahoo group at
  http//groups.yahoo.com/group/WebMICAR/