What does EHDP do?
We provide Vitalnet, a comprehensive, integrated system for analyzing large complex health data sets, including birth, cancer, hospital discharge, mortality, pregnancy, ICD, and geographic data. A Vitalnet license includes all services needed to ensure project success. Different Vitalnet platforms support a wide range of user needs.
Vitalnet fulfills the role of many different kinds of software:
Does EHDP provide birth, death, marriage, or divorce certificates?
Does EHDP figure out where or when individuals were born or died?
No. Contact your state health agency state health agency or other governmental body.
Does EHDP sell data?
Not currently. We sell Vitalnet software for linking, analyzing, and disseminating data. However, we will load into Vitalnet whatever data you need to analyze.
What kinds of data can Vitalnet systems include?
Vitalnet systems currently include the following data sets:
Vitalnet can handle any complex record-level data set, including birth defects, census, emergency room, enrollment, HIV / AIDS, health manpower, immunizations, linked birth / death, Medicaid, Medicare, newborn screening, outpatient, poverty, reportable diseases, school, trauma registry, unemployment, and WIC. Please contact EHDP if you are interested in another data set.
Is there an upper age limit for population data, mortality data, etc?
It can be set to whatever you want. Additional age categories over 75 may be used, and are recommended, if population data are available.
How do the data get imported?
The process works as follows:
Advantages of importing partnership include:
If you need real-time access to data, we can arrange for you to do the importing, probably at additional cost.
What does Vitalnet look like?
VitalWeb Standard runs directly in a web browser. It directly makes maps and charts.
VitalWeb Wizard also runs directly in a web browser. It does the same maps, tables, and charts as VitalWeb Standard. Runs in two modes:
VitalPro for DOS are VitalPro for Unix are character-oriented windowing interfaces. Keyboard-driven, they are fast and efficient. They give maximum analytical flexibility.
VitalPro for Windows (under development) is a native Windows application. It runs on any Windows PC or LAN. It combines the flexibility of VitalPro with the graphical output of VitalWeb.
Which web browsers are supported? (link to another page)
How would Vitalnet be customized for my needs?
Your Vitalnet system is customized to reflect parameter values used in your jurisdiction, such as age groups, race groups, and geographic areas. Variables not collected, rarely used, or of questionable validity (such as father's age, Kessner index, mother's smoking) may be excluded or included based on your decision. Text provided by your agency related to data analysis and local assistance is included in the help system. Other desired customizations will be added, usually at no additional cost.
Does Vitalnet meet CDC/NEDSS requirements? (link to another page)
Does Vitalnet meet disability requirements? (link to another page)
What is the Vitalnet underlying architecture? (link to another page)
Do Vitalnet systems do cell suppression?
Yes, you may select a suppression level for creating output that you want to distribute with suppressed cells, for example suppress any cell with 5 or fewer deaths. Your agency may request that the system be configured with a minimum cell suppression level of your choosing.
Do Vitalnet systems do leading causes of death?
Epigram uses the standard NCHS rankable cause list. The top 10 causes from this list are the leading causes of death.
Does Epigram calculate an age-adjusted rate for age 20-64?
It does not. Epigram is very useful for calculating age-adjusted rates. It is possible to program the capability to age-adjust within age groups, but it was felt that the additional complexity and potential confusion were not worth the occasional benefit. If needed, Vitalnet could quickly produce the age-specific rates and population numbers needed to set up a spreadsheet to do the calculations. Or, Epigram could produce a age-specific rate for age 20-64.
How do I print from Vitalnet?
The following print from whatever browser you use:
The following ask if you want to print, after viewing output.
Alternatively, Vitalnet saves your output to a text file for easy importing into your editor (such as WordPerfect or Word). Also, results may be saved to delimited or database formats, for use in other data display software.
How many ICD codes do Vitalnet systems include?
VitalPro for Unix, VitalPro for DOS, and VitalPro for Windows include the entire ICD system. Vitalnet will work with data coded to ICD-9 or ICD-10. There are three access methods:
VitalWeb Standard and VitalWeb Wizard allow selection from a menu with the most common categories and groupings.
What race groups are used?
It is up to the licensee. Any race categories may be used. The smallest race categories depend on the standard way that data are analyzed in your jurisdiction. During analysis, race categories may be combined as needed.
Does Vitalnet project trends into the future?
Yes. Trend analyses automatically include a "least-squares" analysis. The analysis produces a Y-intercept and slope, which may be used to draw the best line through the data and project into the future. Confidence intervals for the slope are also included, to decide if there is a significant trend.
Do Vitalnet systems make maps?
Yes. The Web Version (VitalWeb system) makes professionally formatted thematic maps that allow the user to quickly identify areas with high rates. The maps are in png (portable network graphics) format. In addition, Vitalnet can export your results to a database file (dBASE III format), which will easily read into Epi-Map, MapInfo, ArcView, and other GIS software. This allows you to overlay the data with other data (for example, environmental exposure data).
Can I download results data?
Yes. The following output formats are available for downloading results:
Note: None of the record level data within Vitalnet databases can currently be accessed or downloaded. If you want that capability, it could be done.
What are the hardware requirements? (link to another page)
Can I monitor program usage?
Yes. The program automatically writes to an accounting file every time the software is used, and every time a table is produced, including basic information on the analysis. Periodically, you may produce reports from the accounting file, using any database or spreadsheet software.
How is Vitalnet licensed? (link to another page)
Why should I license Vitalnet software?