Abstract

SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment owns and cares for the largest zoological animal collection in the world. The collection is divided among 7 parks, and is managed by more than 1000 animal care specialists, 14 veterinarians, and three in-house diagnostic laboratories. Historically, paper records generated as part of daily management practices were stored locally with no central system available for their efficient retrieval and analysis. In 2002, we partnered with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC San Diego, CA) to create a web-based information management system. The result, named EARS (Electronic Animal Records System), was released for testing in 2005 and has been in full operation in the SeaWorld park system for the past 4 years.

EARS was developed to function as an integrated system for handling the information management needs of an animal collection. At its core, it is an electronic health records (EHR) system that is the primary site of entry for clinical notes, laboratory results, medical procedure reports, and medication dispensation instructions. The EHR can then provide access to the animal health data in a useable and searchable format. The interface was designed to mimic a paper record so that users can move through screens in a manner that is logical and intuitive. In-house lab results are input directly through links between EARS and the lab instrument, shortening result reporting times, and reducing the likelihood of translational errors. Husbandry data including feeding schedules, animal weights, and behavioral records can all be entered into the program.

Once data have been entered into EARS, animal health information can be quickly collected, reported, and reviewed both locally and remotely via the internet. Medical prescriptions are easily communicated to the animal staff and dispensation can be tracked resulting in fewer errors and greater confidence. Animal staffs' daily reports are now in a format and location that is readily accessible to both veterinarians and curators.

In the human medical field, adoption and integration of EHR systems can be handicapped by time commitments, financial costs, availability of technical support, insufficient training, slowdown in work or productivity, difficulty with data entry and computer skills¹. While we have experienced many of these same hurdles with EARS, its smaller size and adaptability has enabled it to rapidly evolve with the needs of our business and users. Through a continued cooperative effort, EARS promises to meet our current and future goals for information management.

Acknowledgments

We'd like to recognize and thank Drs. Jim McBain and Tom Reidarson from SeaWorld, and Tom Otten at SAIC, for providing the spark behind the creation of this program and for shepherding its early development. We'd also like to thank all the EARS users whose comments and feedback have aided in its growth, and Mr. Brad Andrews for his continued support.

Reference

1.  Terry et al. (2009) Adoption of electronic medical records in family practice: The providers' perspective. Fam Med 41(7): 508-512.