DEPARTMENT OF THE MEDICAL EXAMINER (MED)

January 2021 – December 2023

1. RENOVATION OF MED OFFICES
   Successful relocation of MED staff with uninterrupted medical examiner operations during extensive MED facility construction. Anticipated completion in 2024.
2. COVID-19 PANDEMIC OPERATIONS
   During COVID-19 pandemic operations, with increased mortality rates, MED maintained continuous and uninterrupted operations with the use of CARES Act-acquired trailers and HPD officers providing 24/7 security.
3. REDUCTION OF BACKLOGGED CASES
   Between 2014 and 2019, MED accrued a significant number of backlogged (incomplete) case files. Between 2021 and 2013, MED significantly reduced the number of backlogged case files from 687 to 96 through the use of per diem physicians and staff pathologists.
4. MASS FATALITY MANAGEMENT PLAN
   Mass fatality incidents have the potential to completely overwhelm local and even national capacity to respond appropriately, resulting in both acute and long-term adverse impacts on survivors and communities. Between 2021 and 2023, MED completed Honolulu’s Mass Fatality Management Plan to provide MED the ability to execute and oversee an array of operational tasks during mass fatality events.
5. IMPROVED CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
   Advanced the department’s case management system for better collection and sharing of case information, maintenance and distribution of reports and record keeping.
6. ASSISTANCE TO MAUI COUNTY
   Assisted with fatality management on Maui associated with the Lahaina wildfires by providing equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that can cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses (PPE).
7. TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES
   Working with the Department of Information Technology (DIT), implemented online requests for reports with credit card payments.
8. CDC/STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ASSISTANCE
   Assisted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), State Department of Health and researchers by expanding drug testing and providing data of drug overdose deaths for the Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) project.