FAQ

What is a MO-HNS?

The Missouri Health Notification System (MO-HNS) is a secure web-based system accessible anytime and anywhere for emergency planning and response communication with public health partners. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services administers MO-HNS to facilitate alerting and collaboration between federal, state, local Public Health Departments, clinics, hospitals, and other public health emergency partners on a 24/7/365 basis.

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What is the purpose of MO-HNS?

To have the ability to receive and confirm Health Alerts/Advisories/Updates [Health Alert Network (HAN) alerts] in minutes from federal, state, and local government during emergencies, urgent events, disasters, and transmit relevant information about emergency issues to public health and medical partners.

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How do I participate in MO-HNS?

You may enroll in the MO-HNS system either on the home page or via a paper registration. Such organizations that are represented in the MO-HNS who are eligible to receive messages through the MO-HNS can include Local Public Health Agencies (LPHAs), physicians, nurses, hospitals, laboratories, clinicians, public health workers, emergency management personnel, public health responders and others. Once you have completed your registration, it will be reviewed by a HAN Coordinator who will determine whether the applicant fulfills a role in a public health emergency response. Information provided via the HAN can be sensitive and/or preliminary and may not be appropriate for those who do not fulfill a role in a public health response. You will then receive a message from the HAN Coordinator in your county/jurisdiction indicating if you are approved to begin receiving messages through this system.

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How will I receive Health Alerts/Advisories/Updates?

The majority of HAN messages will continue to be received via email. The new MO-HNS is web-based and will enable DHSS to forward CDC HAN messages, as well as DHSS HAN messages via email. In addition to emailing HAN messages, DHSS will be able to send messages via phone, fax (with attachments), Short Message Service (SMS) and pagers. This system will support secure alerts if necessary.

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What is a Health Alert Network (HAN) Coordinator?

HAN coordinators are responsible for the coordination, implementation, and maintenance of the Missouri Health Notification System (MO-HNS) for their agency or jurisdiction. HAN Coordinators, one of which is located in the DHSS Department Situation Room (DSR) as well as one in each LPHA are a critical link between state agencies, local jurisdictions, and public health emergency partners.

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What are the Categories of Health Alert messages?


Health Alert: conveys the highest level of importance; warrants immediate action or attention.
Health Advisory: provides important information for a specific incident or situation; may not require immediate action.
Health Update: provides updated information regarding an incident or situation; unlikely to require immediate action.
Health Information: provides general health information that is not considered to be of an emergent nature.

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As a local public health agency, will I still be able to forward HAN messages to my local partners?

Yes. Each LPHA will have designated a HAN Coordinator who will have administration and distribution rights at the local level. Local HAN Coordinators will be able to forward HAN messages to their local recipients which will include DHSS.
LPHAs would transfer key local HAN contact information to the DHSS for import into the new system. However, each LPHA will continue to have oversight of their local lists.

  • New users of the system will have the ability to self-register. Thus, staff hours in maintaining local HAN lists should be reduced.
  • HAN Coordinators will have the ability to approve new users to receive HAN messages based on their public health response role.

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How do I learn more about MO-HNS?

DHSS will provide training to the coordinators and other LPHA staff in the usage of the HAN. In addition, you will have access to a guide by clicking on the "Help" link.

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