Instituting a case management system for the lead-poisoned child: the Maine experience

This article details the origin and implementation of a state-level case management system for children with elevated blood lead levels. This includes a thorough accounting of the methods utilized to create the system. The article closes with data derived from the case management reporting system showing the system's effectiveness and with a description of how this design parallels the case management recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention made at a later date. The article offers suggestions for designers of such systems. In general, the authors advise building on existing systems, creating written protocols for both case managers and health care personnel, developing a support system for case managers, tracking activities through data, and giving recognition to field personnel.