Tulsa's City-County Health Department a model to other departments nationwide

Tulsa's City-County Health Department is featured in last week's issue of US News and World Report. <br><br>The article features the department as an example of an agency doing things right. The

Wednesday, January 1st 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa's City-County Health Department is featured in last week's issue of US News and World Report.

The article features the department as an example of an agency doing things right. The department uses a computer system to get daily updates from the city's hospitals and pharmacies about what type of illnesses and medicines are showing up frequently. That gives them an early clue on something as predictable as a flu outbreak or even a possible bio terrorism attack.

Christy Edmonds with the Tulsa City-County Health Department, "The earlier you catch it, the earlier you can prevent it and keep it from spreading to the rest of the population."

Many health departments across the nation are now copying Tulsa's program.