Information Services

Responsible for designing, planning and enabling a wide range of platforms for the exchange and interpretation of information related to health and healthcare, the Division of Information Services (IS) works to positively impact population-level health outcomes in Louisiana. Informed by current and emerging public health and bio-medical informatics best practices, IS continues to build its capacity to provide innovative solutions, guidance and technical assistance to health policy decision-makers, organizations and communities.

The Division’s efforts fall into four functional areas:

• Health Information Technology, where efforts range from policy direction and sustainability planning, to the direct implementation of electronic medical records, decision-support systems in healthcare, and standard profiles to facilitate the exchange of information between health care systems and providers.

• Business Process Engineering and Information Architecture, which focuses on workflow design to improve collaboration, communication and efficiency both across and within health-related organizations. This is accomplished through the design and implementation of information structures and management practices that are appropriately organized, maintained and utilized.

• Core IT Infrastructure provides guidance, analysis, planning, design, deployment and ongoing IT operations management and technical support both within LPHI operations and in support of external partners.

• Information Systems Development ,which focuses on the design, development and harmonious functionality of backend information infrastructures and front-end user experiences. This includes web development, software applications, information interface design, data management, geographic information systems, and initiative strategy and consulting in the utilization of Web 2.0 platforms.

The Division of Information Services continues to support and expand the use of Health Information Technology in safety-net primary care facilities through the Partnership for Access to Healthcare (PATH) Health Information Systems and the School Health Connection programs. The Division expanded its Information Systems Development efforts from web development into a wide range of GIS services, including interactive mapping solutions and data processing. Meanwhile, Division leadership has played a formal advisory role to organizations such as Common Ground, the Louisiana Public Health Information Exchange and the Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum.