∞ Origins of Prototrack Over the past 13 years, Dr. Theodore J. Hogan has developed safety programs for a wide variety of industries. In doing this, he came to the conclusion that there was a real need for a computer-based comprehensive safety management program that could integrate regulatory requirements, training and documentation with operations. This realization was the beginning of prototrack. In 2000, Mr. Robert Tsai brought his programming expertise to the project, helping Dr. Hogan compile all of the information into one package. ∞ Early Development In collaboration with safety and engineering staff at Northwestern University, a key client looking for a compliance program with computer-based training (CBT), a basic decision was made to create prototrack as a web-based application. Then the team reviewed the common pitfalls companies with large workforces in multiple locations encounter in their effort to maintain compliance on a consistent basis. A task tracking feature was created as a key component of the system, so that an administrator could assign, manage and track to completion each of the assigned tasks. There are commercially available compliance programs and CBT applications which provide very generic solutions. On the other hand, custom programs are very expensive to develop. Therefore, it was decided to utilize Dr. Hogan's well written compliance programs and CBT modules as the basis of the online application within an open structure that easily allows each end user to add facility specific information and other custom features. Prototrack was launched successfully in 2001, with several industrial subscribers in addition to the University. ∞ Healthcare Applications As prototrack's use increased, the development team received requests from users and clients in the healthcare industry to further enhance the application to meet their specific needs. Because these users recognized prototrack's potential to cost-effectively manage some or all of their facility's H&S functions, they were eager to have the improvements completed. Dr. Hogan, with his extensive experience in medical facility H&S issues, provided the expertise required to make everything happen. As the needs of his many Illinois hospital clients were addressed, features were added and refined to ensure that prototrack would (1) house a medical facility's entire H&S Management Plan, (2) issue, track, and manage tasks derived out of this plan, (3) create an audit trail to indicate compliance under JCAHO requirements, and (4) track costs associated with executing a medical facility's EH&S plan. In addition to tracking compliance costs, today's prototrack helps hospitals and medical facilities of any size meet JCAHO Standards EC.1.10 (Managing Safety Risks), EC.1.20 (Maintaining a Safe Environment), HR.2.10 (Initial Job Training and Information), and HR.2.30 (Education, In-Services, Training, and Other Activities to Maintain and Improve Competence). However, even beyond compliance and cost management, prototrack is an effective tool for hospital risk managers, administrators, and staff employees to simultaneously track and resolve H&S issues right at their desktop, in real-time. ∞ Facilities Management During 2002, the long-term collegial relationship between Ms. Mattson and Dr. Hogan resulted in the development of new applications for the prototrack system. Many of Mattson Associates' key clients are school districts where indoor air quality (IAQ) and mold problems were becoming major areas of concern. In investigating and solving IAQ problems, Ms. Mattson had found that lack of proper maintenance was usually a major factor. In many cases poor communication between facility managers and the building engineers and educational staff in the various schools in the district was part of the problem. What was needed was an interactive tool, accessible throughout the district, for generating and tracking preventive maintenance and reactive work orders. Ms. Mattson investigated computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) being marketed to schools and found that many were difficult to implement and geared to maintaining facility inventories rather than to getting the work done. Most important, none of the other systems was designed to integrate information on the location and condition of asbestos containing materials in a facility with maintenance work orders. Since asbestos management is a key requirement for Illinois schools, why have a system that doesn't incorporate this feature? Prototrack's Facility Management program was developed to address this need. ∞ Regulatory Compliance for Illinois Schools The Facility Management program was launched at the beginning of 2003, with several districts subscribing. As Mattson Associates staff interacted with the initial program users, other potential applications were identified. Asbestos Management is both an IAQ issue and a regulatory issue requiring training of school personnel and periodic surveillance. Other regulatory compliance requirements could be integrated into the program. Many of the CBT topics already in the system such as asbestos awareness, bloodborne pathogens and hazard communication were as directly applicable to K-12 schools as to Northwestern University. Required inspections of pressure vessels, bleachers, elevators, fire extinguishers, lead based paint, etc. were set up to appear as periodic work orders with links to background information and regulatory agency websites. With Prototrack, school officials have one online system which explains the requirements in detail, automatically reminds them when action is required and maintains records demonstrating that they are in compliance.