Release Date: May 21, 2009
Contact: Christine Patmon, Metro Health Public Relations Manager, 207-8638
Digital Health Department Initiative Ushers in Service Improvements
Metro Health makes food inspections available online
Residents and visitors frequenting a local food establishment can now go online at www.sanantonio.gov/health to check out the facility's inspection scores. The online inspection system is part of Metro Health's Digital Health Department initiative aimed at improving service and efficiency.
The online reports detail the date of the facility's most recent inspection and the amount of demerits received in a 100 point system. As additional data are entered into the system, visitors will have access to inspection results for the past three years for all establishments in the health department’s jurisdiction. Metro Health currently inspects restaurants, retail food outlets, day cares, schools, and mobile food vendors.
"By this fall, sanitarians will file reports electronically onsite and the entire inspection report will be accessible online," said Sanitarian Services Manager Stephen Barscewski. “In addition to increased customer service, the Digital Health Department initiative will allow our team to focus more attention on education efforts in the field, which, I believe, are as important as the regulatory aspect of what we do.”
Online visitors can set up a personalized profile list that will enable them to get reports of particular establishments. They also can set up accounts to receive notices via email when a new inspection report for their selected establishment has been
completed. The user can then log into their account to view the report. Users have the option to search individual facilities by name, location, alphabetically, or by zip code. Eventually, customers and site visitors will be able to pay fees for licensing and re-inspections and file food establishment complaints online.
The Food and Environmental Health Services Division launched the system with input and collaboration from the San Antonio Restaurant Association (SARA) and other stakeholders.
"This online system is a tool for the consumer to evaluate restaurants and to motivate operators to maintain the highest level of proficiency and safety," said Louis Barrios, president of SARA.
The Digital Health Department, when completely enacted this fall, will fully automate business practices for the Food and Environmental Health Services Division. It will allow for advanced information retrieval, improved management tracking tools, and enhanced business management reporting. Future system improvements will include the ability to electronically file vector control reports and environmental inspections, which will give website users a clearer picture of all the activities that Food, Enviromental Health and Vector Control perform throughout the city and county.
To view the online inspections, visit www.sanantonio.gov/health and click on the Food Establishment Inspections quick link at the bottom of the page. For more information, call 207-8853.
