Data Informatics System FAQ Why would we use a Electronic Medical Records System? Have you ever shadowed a doctor and tried to create an accurate patient history? Have you ever had to ask what kind of medication the patients are taking or has taken but they didn’t know? Have you seen chronic patients that require follow-up care? With an EMR system, health care professionals have access to records of previous brigade exams as well as Community Health Worker visits in the areas where our CHWs are active. This means they will now be able to check past diagnoses, medication histories, and know of any chronic issues their patient might have. In short, it means better quality care for the patients we see on our brigades. Why has Global Brigades Panama begun using the DI system now? The pilot phase of the system has been taking place in Panama since February 2013; after extensive testing and system modifications as well as an adaption in brigade style, we are ready to roll it out to all medical and dental brigades in order to start collecting valuable data. What type of EMR are we using? The system GB has chosen is open-source software called OpenMRS. It was developed and implemented initially by a team for Partners In Health in Haiti and has gone on to be used in clinics around the world. Originally designed for stationary medical clinics, we’ve been able to modify it to work with our mobile medical/dental brigade model. How do brigaders use the OpenMRS system? Our current set up has students working in the intake area to verify patient profiles (2-3 computers and students) as well as alongside health care professionals as data entry scribes during the actual patient exam (one computer and student per HCP). This allows for the HCPs to have access to the patient history within our database as well as ensuring the most accurate diagnosis entry for the current exam. By connecting to a Local Area Network, the database can be shared by all of the computers on the brigade. As far as specific operation, the evening before your first brigade, everyone using the system will have a training session at your compound. How will this affect my brigade planning? For the most part, it won’t. We just need you to recruit people to bring computers and inform your students and medical professionals that you’ll be using the system. Also, we suggest that you download the application “Convert Free” to assist you with unit conversions between the metric system and the English system. We’ll do the rest!

Data Informatics System FAQ What do we need to bring? Global Brigades will provide a portable server, router, extension cords and a generator (if the community you are going to does not have electricity). The only thing we need you to bring are laptops with wireless capability for the data entry. Each group will need to bring N + 5 computers (where N equals the number of US medical professionals that will be seeing patients). So if you’re bringing 2 doctors and a dentist, your group will need to bring 8 computers total. We suggest that the computers have the latest version of Firefox, as that is the browser that works best with the system. What about computer safety? The safety and security of your personal computer is the top priority of the Data Informatics Team. While in the community, there will be someone in the room with the computers at all times. While at the compounds, we’ll keep a lookout for any strangers. We recommend that your laptops somewhere safe like the bottom of your suitcase or locked in the bus. Why is this important? Global Brigades is taking a much more research and evaluation based focus on our programs. By having this essential health data we can see exactly what kind of impact all of our programs, not just medical, are having. Not only that, but with electronic records, we can send your group a post- brigade report with health statistics of the community. Over time, you can see the direct impact your group is having on the health of Honduras. Who can I contact if I have questions? You can always contact the Data Informatics System main account at If you have any questions about the Data Informatics specifically in Panama, contact Daniel Hostetler, a Global Health Program Associate, directly at