Ryan White Title III HIV Capacity Development and Planning Grants - Abstract Summary Optimus Health Care (Optimus) proposes to utilize capacity development funds under the Infrastructure Development category to enhance emergency preparedness by integrating Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems with HIV data. This initiative aims to address critical gaps in Optimus’ current systems, particularly the lack of seamless integration between EPIC and CAREWare, which has led to manual data entry, inefficiencies, and errors. By developing a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan, Optimus seeks to ensure continuity of care for people living with HIV (PLWH) during public health emergencies and natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and disease outbreaks. The project will focus on eliminating double entries, improving data accuracy, and strengthening organizational capacity to respond effectively to crises, ensuring that vulnerable populations continue to receive uninterrupted care and support. The proposed activity includes several key components: conducting an organizational assessment to identify vulnerabilities, developing an emergency preparedness plan tailored to PLWH, integrating EPIC and CAREWare systems to automate data synchronization, and training staff on emergency protocols. Optimus will also collaborate with local health departments, emergency management agencies, and community-based organizations, such as the Greater Bridgeport Care Consortium, to coordinate response efforts and ensure a resilient system of care. Additionally, the involvement of PLWH through focus groups and a Patient Advisory Board will ensure that the plan is patient-centered and responsive to the needs of the community. To address potential challenges, such as technical difficulties in integrating EPIC and CAREWare, Optimus will engage a third-party developer with proven expertise in EHR integration. The organization will also implement mitigation strategies, including pilot testing, data validation, and regular audits, to ensure data accuracy and system effectiveness. Furthermore, Optimus will expand telehealth services and establish community partnerships to maintain continuity of care during emergencies. The project will be evaluated using key performance indicators (KPIs), such as the percentage of PLWH receiving uninterrupted care during emergencies, staff readiness during drills, and reductions in manual data entry errors. Qualitative feedback from PLWH and staff, collected through tools like Qualtrics, will provide additional insights to refine and improve the emergency preparedness plan. By integrating the plan into its organizational strategy, securing diverse funding sources, and leveraging technology, Optimus will ensure the long-term sustainability of the initiative, ultimately enhancing the resilience of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and improving health outcomes for PLWH in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
