Meeting the Demands for Vital Statistics: The Challenges of Collecting, Preparing, and Promoting Baltimore, MD May 31 st – June 4 th, 2009 STRATEGIES USED TO PIQUE INTEREST IN EDRS BY: Jackie Fairbanks Registration Supervisor And Training Coordinator for Electronic Processing

2,502 Establishments to Train

Meeting the Demands for Vital Statistics: The Challenges of Collecting, Preparing, and Promoting Baltimore, MD May 31 st – June 4 th, 2009 REGIONAL TRAINING Determined location of State Computer labs and Funeral Home Association Zones Notified Potential EDRS Users of Training Times and Locations Used State Labs to Allow Users Hands on Experience

Meeting the Demands for Vital Statistics: The Challenges of Collecting, Preparing, and Promoting Baltimore, MD May 31 st – June 4 th, 2009 REGIONAL TRAINING PROS & CONS PROS Able to address a larger audience in a single setting Allowed questions to be answered directly Attendees put pressure on others CONS Needed multiple days for preparation Attendees didn’t relay information to the decision maker Funeral directors attended only to obtain continuing education credit

Meeting the Demands for Vital Statistics: The Challenges of Collecting, Preparing, and Promoting Baltimore, MD May 31 st – June 4 th, 2009 Trainings by Area Potential User Contacts Our Office We contact other 1. Funeral Directors in that area 2. Physicians in that area 3. County Attorney/Coroners in area

Meeting the Demands for Vital Statistics: The Challenges of Collecting, Preparing, and Promoting Baltimore, MD May 31 st – June 4 th, 2009 PROMOTIONAL PHONE CALLS To physician offices in the area

Meeting the Demands for Vital Statistics: The Challenges of Collecting, Preparing, and Promoting Baltimore, MD May 31 st – June 4 th, 2009 PROMOTIONAL PHONE CALLS To County Attorney / Coroner offices in the area

Meeting the Demands for Vital Statistics: The Challenges of Collecting, Preparing, and Promoting Baltimore, MD May 31 st – June 4 th, 2009 PROMOTIONAL PHONE CALLS To funeral directors in the area

Meeting the Demands for Vital Statistics: The Challenges of Collecting, Preparing, and Promoting Baltimore, MD May 31 st – June 4 th, 2009 PROS & CONS PROS Competition factor came into play Allowed questions to be answered directly Attendees put pressure on others CONS Some difficulty in arranging convenient dates and times Didn’t always get a firm commitment to use the system Funeral directors attended only to obtain continuing education credit

Meeting the Demands for Vital Statistics: The Challenges of Collecting, Preparing, and Promoting Baltimore, MD May 31 st – June 4 th, 2009 LETTERS TO POTENTIAL USERS Physicians Funeral Directors County Attorney / Coroners

Meeting the Demands for Vital Statistics: The Challenges of Collecting, Preparing, and Promoting Baltimore, MD May 31 st – June 4 th, 2009 LETTERS PROS Spread the word about EDRS CONS Letters weren’t read timely Intended to contact our office but didn’t follow through

Meeting the Demands for Vital Statistics: The Challenges of Collecting, Preparing, and Promoting Baltimore, MD May 31 st – June 4 th, 2009 SURVEYS TO OFFICE MANAGERS What is EDRS? What are the benefits to the potential user? Who should they contact if they are interested?

Meeting the Demands for Vital Statistics: The Challenges of Collecting, Preparing, and Promoting Baltimore, MD May 31 st – June 4 th, 2009 SURVEYS TO OFFICE MANAGERS Asked questions: Do you sign death certificates? Do you want more EDRS information? Do you want to use this system? If so, Name & Phone # of contact.

Meeting the Demands for Vital Statistics: The Challenges of Collecting, Preparing, and Promoting Baltimore, MD May 31 st – June 4 th, 2009 PROS & CONS PROS Our best overall response Office manager could make the decision Office manager knew who to direct the information to CONS Hard to make connection for information if they required you to talk to the Dr.

Meeting the Demands for Vital Statistics: The Challenges of Collecting, Preparing, and Promoting Baltimore, MD May 31 st – June 4 th, 2009 OTHER METHODS USED Read medical magazines for contacts Published articles in medical periodicals, newspapers ed potential users Published quarterly bulletins

Meeting the Demands for Vital Statistics: The Challenges of Collecting, Preparing, and Promoting Baltimore, MD May 31 st – June 4 th, 2009 OTHER METHODS USED Took every opportunity to speak at conventions Offered Q & A sessions for medical staff meetings Assisted other groups with information for their meetings

Meeting the Demands for Vital Statistics: The Challenges of Collecting, Preparing, and Promoting Baltimore, MD May 31 st – June 4 th, 2009 OTHER METHODS USED Letter attached to Drop to Paper Records Cold Calls – drop off information Post Cards to the various offices

Meeting the Demands for Vital Statistics: The Challenges of Collecting, Preparing, and Promoting Baltimore, MD May 31 st – June 4 th, 2009 WHAT WOULD WE DO DIFFERENTLY? Push for mandatory legislation early in the process. Offer continuing education credit only after they used the system a predetermined amount of time. Ability to order death records online built into the system at the beginning.

Meeting the Demands for Vital Statistics: The Challenges of Collecting, Preparing, and Promoting Baltimore, MD May 31 st – June 4 th, 2009 ANY QUESTIONS?

Meeting the Demands for Vital Statistics: The Challenges of Collecting, Preparing, and Promoting Baltimore, MD May 31 st – June 4 th, 2009 THANK YOU!