Future Plans

New Hampshire’s Assessment Initiative (AI) project is augmenting the existing NH web-based reporting and query system, known as NH HealthWRQS, by developing new modules based on the data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), healthcare claims data from the Comprehensive Health Information System (CHIS), and public health program performance measures data. In addition, in the later years of the NH AI project, the HealthWRQS modules will be integrated to create a comprehensive Community Health Profile.

In Year 1 of the project (2007-2008), NH is focusing on (or has completed): (1) establishing the NH Assessment Initiative project team, (2) developing the indicators and methodology for the development of the BRFSS module, (3) developing the methodology and file design needed for the claims data module, (4) understanding how performance measures are used and collected in NH and in other states, (5) developing a web site to promote the understanding and use of HealthWRQS and the data from it, and (6) promoting HealthWRQS and exploring options for sustainability.

In 2008-2009, NH plans to focus on: (1) analyzing and making available the BRFSS indicator report for additional geographic areas, (2) implementing the technical requirements for transferring data and programming for claims data module to DHHS, (3) building a prototype of the performance measures module and identifying the best solution for collecting the data and housing that module in the long-term, (4) continuing to evolve and expand the HealthWRQS website to include reports of the most recent year of data for all indicators for each geographic area in the library, and (5) promoting HealthWRQS and exploring options for sustainability.

Next steps in the technical development of the HealthWRQS system include upgrading from Cognos Series 7 to Cognos Series 8, which will allow significant advancement in the development of the HealthWRQS project. These enhancements include:

  • A security model that will support installation on an external web sever, eliminating the need for VPN connections.
  • The ability to produce community health profiles that allow a user to define a custom geographic area and with one click receive batch of multiple indicator reports.
  • Improved ad hoc query functionality that will allow release of an ad hoc query system to all appropriate users.
  • Improved report development tools that will speed development process of reports for the system.
  • A guest users account that will allow reports for county and state geographic areas to be accessed without restriction.