Rapid Inspection Application Replacement

Summary: The Minnesota Department of Health is spearheading a project to replace the Rapid Inspection application with a modern, web-based solution designed to enhance efficiencies for field staff, streamline inspection data transfer, and improve reporting for State and Federal stakeholders. 

In 2023, the Food, Pools, & Lodging Services (FPLS), a fee-based program with 80 field operations staff, conducted over 18,000 inspections at 15,727 licensed establishments. These include food, beverage, and lodging establishments, public pools, recreational camping areas, manufactured home parks, youth camps, and seasonal food carts. Notable inspections were conducted at prominent venues such as the MN State Fair, Excel Energy Center, WeFest, Allianz Field, Valley Fair, and many more. 

Implementing a modern solution will enhance reporting and data analysis by enabling remote uploads of over 150 weekly inspection reports. This upgrade eliminates the need for onsite presence and minimizes the risk of data loss, ensuring compliance with FDA Retail Food Program Standards and MN Statute (157.20), which mandate annual reporting and notification of violations. 

Value: FPLS aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of field inspectors (sanitarians) by enabling electronic completion of field inspections. This will facilitate easier data sharing with local public health agencies, the general public, and other MDH systems, while also generating the required reports for FDA-mandated data analysis on licensed food and beverage establishments in Minnesota. 

Impact: Replace the Rapid Inspection application with a modern web-based solution that improves efficiencies for field staff, supports inspection data transfer, and improved reporting with State and Federal stakeholders.