Austin-travis county health department's information system

In response to increased organizational complexity, reduced financial resources and an expanding client population, an Information Management Division was created within the Austin-Travis County Health Department in March 1982. An important component of this Division is the Information Systems Plan which insures the systematic collection, storage and analysis of data and information used by managers to facilitate decision making and to meet reporting requirements. In addition to providing Public Health Services to the community, the Health Department is responsible for indigent health care. After three years of managing the Medical Assistance Program for indigent care, it became apparent that a shared data base with city-owned Brackenridge Hospital was appropriate to insure continuity of health care, program monitoring/evaluation and effective discharge planning.