Background
Custom Data Processing (CDP) is a provider of Enterprise Health Systems to public health organizations.  Since 1981, CDP has been a leader in public health software solutions, including environmental health, clinical management, EMR, home health, online EBT, and integrated electronic document management systems.

The Challenge
CDP had an ambitious project of converting their existing legacy clinical management software suite to a web environment.  This included a rewrite of their WIC (Women Infant and Children) Household, Growth Charts, Payroll, Immunization Record, Perinatal and Report Viewer modules.  They were preparing for a two-year pilot with the US Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky WIC Program to replace the existing WIC paper-based food benefit process with an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program.  The new system had to be integrated across the board with a shared security model, search feature and consistent look/feel.  CDP had limited ASP.NET experience so they had started several of their projects using the Iron Speed Designer which helps users quickly generate web applications.  After converting a few apps, CDP identified significant performance issues. The generated code was so verbose, it was impossible to correct these issues or maintain the software.  They consulted with Logical Progression because of our experience with healthcare web portals, ASP.NET/AJAX technology and intuitive user experiences.  We recommended a fresh approach.

The Solution
First, Logical Progression helped CDP analyze and develop requirements for the new web modules by coordinating with CDP Project Managers who understood the existing applications and workflow.  We successfully converted a loose set of Visio mockups and instructions into a formal requirements specification and database design.  We then got buy-in from the Project Managers on screen mockups that demonstrated the look/feel, as well as user navigation.  Finally, we completed each screen and wired the database, including writing the Oracle stored procedures.  Logical Progression was able to introduce many enhancements like client-side AJAX to enhance the user's experience and speed of the web applications.  We were successful at overcoming a number of technical challenges, such as getting Crystal Reports to produce registration labels at the various health departments.

Growth Charts - Automatic Charting Feature

Growth Charts - Patient Growth History

Immunization Record

Results/Benefits
The end result exceeded expectations and was well received by the public health communities.  CDP accelerated the migration of their clinical management suite (CMS) and successfully completed the EBT pilot program by leveraging our expertise.  Logical Progression consulted CDP on best practices for ASP.NET development and conducted knowledge transfer sessions to enable their staff to take ownership of the source code.  We continue to assist them today with enhancements to the software and consider them a valuable partner in the public health space.

The new system has a number of benefits:

• Industry-standard technology including ASP.NET web applications, AJAX and a relational database makes it easier for CDP to support/enhance
• Seamless, integrated Clinical Management System (CMS) that meets the needs of all the stakeholders and reduces the cost of ownership
• The new WIC program benefits the participants, the retailers and the WIC state agencies by eliminating the cumbersome paper processes, reducing fraud, eliminating the costly and time-consuming "pay and chase" method of recovering overpayments to the retailers, and enabling program staff to generate useful reports
• The improved Growth Chart module eliminates manual charting and offers additional features, such as Daily Registration, Patient Lookup, Growth History and an adult BMI Calculator

Technology
The Public Health Web Portal project utilized the following technologies:

• ASP.NET 2.0 / AJAX
• Oracle 10g
• Crystal Reports

About Custom Data Processing, Inc.
CDP is a provider of Enterprise Health Systems to public health organizations.  Since 1981, CDP has been a leader in public health software solutions, including environmental health, clinical management, EMR, home health, online EBT, and integrated electronic document management systems. The company is based in La Grange, IL with offices in Franfurt, KY, Salt Lake City, UT, Tucson, AZ and Winston-Salem, NC. For more information, visit www.cdpehs.com.

About Logical Progression
Logical Progression is a software company specializing in elevating the visitor experience.  With over 20 years of experience, Logical Progression is an innovator in the healthcare tablet documentation market, building ink-friendly and intuitive user experiences.  Logical Ink®, the company’s core product, is a tablet-based charting solution used in hospitals and clinical trials.  The company also produces VisitTrax™, an enterprise visitor management solution. The company is based in Cary, NC. For more information, visit www.logicalpro.com.