February 14, 2005

SELF TRIAGE GOING HIGH TECH IN COLLIER COUNTY

Tampa, FL (February 11, 2005) – The Media Factory, Inc. has been selected to develop a web-based, self-triage pilot program for Collier County residents. Working together with the Collier County Health Department, TMF will utilize their own Sensa e-Learning format to provide a system for online help in the event of a natural or man-made biological event. It will be a live pilot for a flu self-triage program, linking from their site: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/chdcollier/.

Using TMF’s interactive software, Self-Triage allows concerned county residents to assess their individual situation by simply following the computer-prompted questions. All questions are in simple “yes” or “no” format. Once the interview is complete, the system generates an individualized profile and suggests actions to be taken by the county resident. The report also prompts the health department with the detailed information and the action recommended.

Harper Simpson, Planning Consultant for Emergency Preparedness to the Collier County Health Department explained, “Self-Triage recommendations focus on up to four key decision steps to residents seeking medical care information: Should I go? When to go? Where to go? How to go? Getting the right information to the concerned resident at the time these decisions are made can save both lives and dollars. With this system we feel confident in delivering our information to the public when it is most needed.”

The intent of Self-Triage is an innovative approach that will assist in evaluating who is in need of critical care and who is not at any given time. By keeping the worried but healthy at home and not flooding medical facilities with the masses will allow for those truly in need to receive immediate and unimpeded care. Putting plans in place now and informing citizens how they can help their own communities in time of crisis will save lives.

“I personally believe the proposed Self-Triage web-based program presents both a challenge and an opportunity to expand county health department services. The challenge is the balancing act of encouraging those not requiring immediate care to remain at home and educating them to come back into the healthcare system should their condition worsen. The opportunity is the chance to reduce costs and panic “surge” on medical facilities and free-up physician resources,” remarked Simpson.

For more information on The Media Factory’s services and products, log on to www.themediafactory.com.

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