Abstract
ObjectiveTo describe the challenges and lessons learned for public healthand providers to successfully implement public health MeaningfulUse readiness guidelines and navigate from intent to submission ofproduction data while simultaneously upgrading surveillance systems.IntroductionThe Syndromic Surveillance Consortium of Southeast Texas(SSCSeT) consists of 13 stakeholders who represent 19 counties orjurisdictions in the Texas Gulf Coast region and receives health datafrom over 100 providers. The Houston Health Department (HHD)maintains and operates the syndromic surveillance system for the GulfCoast region since 2007. In preparation for Meaningful Use (MU) theHHD has adapted and implemented guidance and recommendationsfrom Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office of NationalCoordinator for Health Information Technology and others. HHDsgoal is to make it possible for providers meet MU specification byfacilitating the transmission of health related data for syndromicsurveillance. The timing of the transition into MU overlaps with thechange in syndromic surveillance systems.