eQuest

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

In 2007 the County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency developed eQuest, an automated referral and case management system for California Children Services a state mandated program for children with qualifying health problems. CCS authorizes and pays for specific medical services and equipment provided by approved specialists. Eligibility for services is based on medical and financial criteria. Setting a goal of increased efficiency and productivity, HHSA designed a process to expedite determination of medical requests and efficiently track requests to avoid duplication. This allows Public Health Nurses more time to provide services by reducing time evaluating new referrals. Technology was used to enhance the process by implementing a web-based referral system that ensured security and confidentiality of health information. EQuest reduced caseloads for nurses by 40% and improved processing timelines by 75%, surpassing the processing timelines and case-load benchmarks stipulated by the State of California. Building on this success, eQuest is moving forward with more advanced solutions to electronically linked hospital patient information and CCS referrals, eliminating the need for paper charts and records.