What's new?

Birth, and abortion and pregnancy data have been updated through 2006.  Infant death and death data through 2006 should be available at the end of February 2008.  The population estimates for 2006 are also expected to be completed in February of 2008.

VistaPHw 2007 user survey:

The results from the VistaPHw users' survey, conducted in the fall of 2007, will be available in February 2008.

 

The VistaPHw partnership continues to make improvements to the software.  They involve mapping, ICD code output, a report function, changes to the birth risk factor module, an e-Learning option, and multi-race populations.

 

Mapping:

In version 7.1.0, users can create shaded maps by county for abortion, birth, death, TB, STDs, Cancer registry, and other communicable disease data.  Maps can be printed and saved using Microsoft Word, Excel, or Paint.

 

ICD codes:

You wanted the ability to have more explicit ICD codes in VistaPHw output; you'll find them in 6.0.1! After selecting the assessment topics and the analysis options, once you click "launch", there will be a button that can be clicked to display ICD codes in Excel output.  If you combine subsets to make a different category, all ICD codes will be displayed.

 

Birth data:

VistaPHw 6.0.1 incorporates new 2003 birth certificate changes, as suggested by an advisory group. This adds an option to look at multiple race data, smoking by trimester, and BMI categories.

 

Multiple race population data are available from 2000 forward.  If you have access to sub-county data, population should be available at the census tract and block group level for your local health jurisdiction. Please do note, however, that these are not the new population denominators. Those are expected in late June!

 

Reports:

In addition, VistaPHw has a button for creating reports.  Users can compare their county to other counties or Washington State, identify whether or not their county is statistically significantly different and significant trends over time. In addition, reports can be created comparing races.

 

Training:

To respond to user requests for changes in how VistaPHw Training is conducted, VistaPHw 6.0.1 included a training format accessible by an e-Learning button on the VistaPHw screen.  Trainings currently available include:

 

* BasicFunctions -Basic Functions of VistaPHw

* MapIntro - introduction to the Mapping Features

* ReportFunction - Instruction on Using the Report Function

* ChartIntro - Basic Charting in VistaPHw

* ChartFormat - More Charting Features

 

Clicking on the e-learning button will bring the user to a screen where they can click on a presentation title to start the training. The presentations do have sound, so you may want to be prepared with headphones!

 

 

All e-Learning files are in PowerPoint slideshow format. Once downloaded, they will be stored in your C:\VistaPHw\Training folder, which will be automatically created by VistaPHw.  If you are running Windows 2000, the e-trainings may not automatically start. However, you can run the e-Learning files from their location on your c:\ drive.  Additionally, if you do not have PowerPoint installed on your computer, you can download a free PowerPoint viewer from Microsoft: http://www.doh.wa.gov/Viewer.htm

 

Numerator Data:

VistaPHw includes current numerator data for several datasets such as birth, death, cancer registry, communicable disease, and hospitalizations.  However, please be aware that the 2006 denominator (population) data is NOT yet available, so you will only be able to get counts for 2006.  In addition, when you do a VistaPHw run for 2006 data you will need to include more than one year in your analysis.  For example, you would need to select 2005 and 2006 to get counts; otherwise if you select only 2006 the run will fail.

 

What's coming next?

VistaPHw development staff are working on a print/save function that can occur within VistaPHw, expanding mapping to zip codes and all assessment topics.

 

Questions:

If you have questions regarding this process or experience any problems, please contact the VistaPHw Coordinator, Buffi LaDue at (360) 236-4207, or Buffi.LaDue@doh.wa.gov