Real-Time Animal Health Information Transfer for AHEM Applications

 

Kevin D. Maher, President, GlobalVetLink, L.C., Ames, Iowa

 

The following is a summary of GlobalVetLink’s  background:

•Headquarters – Iowa State University Research Park, Ames Iowa

•Specialty – Internet application tools for animal health regulatory management

•Founded January 2001

• Founded by Kevin Maher, Dr. Gene Lloyd and Dr. Conrad Schmidt

 

Current Status of GVL applications:

•Launched in Sept. 2001

•Web based CVI system for the State of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

•Florida diagnostic laboratories are connected to the system for real-time lab submittal forms and reporting.

•Subscribers include federally accredited private veterinarians

•Designed with input from over 17 States

•State of Florida Pioneered launched it first commercial introduction

•All States may receive CVI documents electronically via the system in real-time from Florida

 

 

There was a resolution passed by USAHA 2002 in Hershey, PA supporting a web based CVI system as follows:

USAHA RESOLUTION NUMBER: 12

 

USAHA requests that APHIS-Veterinary Services, in cooperation with the states, utilize or develop an electronic certificate of veterinary inspection that uses a USDA web-based computer database to document intrastate, interstate and international movement of livestock and poultry.

 

 

The following is the key communication hierarchy within GVL system for the state of Florida

  • Private Veterinarian

  • Diagnostic Laboratories

  • State Division of Animal Industry

  • Ag Law Stations

  • APHIS

A discussion occurred about the web site architecture and security model of the GlobalVetLink system, which includes a very rigorous approach to protect user and data security. A regulation map of the US was displayed that indicates information leading to regulations for all 50 states via the GlobalVetLink site and accessed by clicking on the desired state. The first information displayed is the contact information for the selected state, followed by a link to the URL that GlobalVetLink personnel have found to be the most recently updated information related to domestic import and export regulations.

 

When interstate or intrastate animal movements occur, the Federally accredited private veterinarian that has been approved for official access to the GlobalVetLink system in Florida logs into the system via their unique user name and password and creates the appropriate e-document for the selected animal movement. species, destination, etc..  When the “send” button is enacted, the origin and receiving states both receive the data instantly via their secure login.  The system has very stringent security procedures that allows users to only access their data that is appropriate to their access rights.

 

An example of private veterinarian benefits from the system include:

•Access GVL’s web-based system 24/7

•Submittal and receipt of lab submissions via secured web applications

•Labs Report- real-time results are available directly to veterinarians

•Connectivity – State, Federal, Practitioners

•Run real-time lab submission status reports / data queries

•Reduce animal ID and other data errors

•FASTER SERVICE TO THE CLIENT

 

System for AHEM

In summary, the GlobalVetLink system for use with AHEM applications would standardize communication in an emergency related to animal movements and more easily and accurately communicate the requirements for animal movements to or within approved zones.  The diagnostic laboratory connection facilitate the flow of appropriate test data to move with the animals within this regulatory process.   A summary of these advantages includes:

      Access GVL’s web-based system 24/7

      Manage rule changes related to emergency management requirements- real-time.

      Allow more freedom of movement within “green zones”

      Report real-time lab results direct from labs to private/state/federal animal health
        officials

      Connectivity – Movement Reporting - State, Federal, Practitioners

      Reduce costs and improve administrative communication and efficiency.