Xerox’s disease surveillance and outbreak management software, Maven Outbreak Management Software, has been updated to be hosted in the company’s secure cloud so public health agencies and other organizations can get immediate, secure access to use it in the fight against Ebola.
Maven is configured to provide contact tracing for Ebola and other communicable diseases. In the absence of a vaccine, contact tracing—analyzing who is at risk from contact with an infected person—is one of the most important tools available to contain diseases like Ebola and prevent widespread outbreaks. Privacy and security are important aspects of any system that manages public health information, and Maven is a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform.
Maven has been deployed in public health agencies in 12 US jurisdictions and two states in Australia.
“Right now, the Ebola outbreak is a major global problem that requires our best thinking and resources. Health organizations of all kinds need technology to manage the identification and diagnosis of those who may have come into contact with an infected person. It’s this level of vigilance that will help stem the outbreak,” says Dave Amoriell, chief operating officer of Xerox’s Public Sector group. “Maven is the market’s best technology for contact tracing, and it’s now available quickly and securely through the Xerox cloud.”
Maven uses data and analytics to securely track people who are either infected with or exposed to communicable diseases like Ebola, measles, tuberculosis, HIV, and influenza. The technology is scalable and can be quickly and easily configured to changing technologies, protocols and geographic locations—all of which are keys to effective disease outbreak response. Its common platform also allows easier data sharing and integration among health agencies on the front line of the disease.
Unlike other case management systems, Maven is not a program-specific, siloed database. It is accessible across jurisdictions to local and state public health professionals and is able to integrate electronic reporting. With Maven, disease events are created and triaged in real time as reports of confirmed cases, suspects or persons at risk come in—electronically or via its secure Web portal. This process means state and local public health personnel are better able to react to emerging needs.
Additionally, the Xerox Foundation will be donating $100,000 to Save the Children for its work with families in West Africa who are dealing with the virus.
“It’s our responsibility to contribute to the solution in as many ways as we can, so we’re partnering with Save the Children to support the on-the-ground work that is being done to curtail transmission of Ebola and protect children in West Africa,” says Michele Cahn, vice president of philanthropy for Xerox. “Children are always among the most vulnerable in an emergency. Save the Children will use these resources to help minimize the spread of the disease, as well as the stigma, fear, and isolation that it can bring to families.”
Source: Xerox