Connecting health departments and providers: syndromic surveillance's last mile.
MMWR Suppl
; 54: 147-50, 2005 Aug 26.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16177706
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
A critical need exists for mechanisms to identify and report acute illness clusters to health departments. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) works with partner organizations to conduct syndromic surveillance. This effort is based on CDC's Health Alert Network program and includes automated generation and notification of signals and a mechanism to obtain detailed clinical information when needed.METHODS:
Syndromic surveillance partners collect emergency department and ambulatory care data. The principal communications platform between syndromic surveillance partners and MDPH is the Massachusetts Homeland and Health Alert Network (HHAN). This Internet-based application serves as a portal for communication and collaboration and alerts predefined groups of users involved in emergency response. Syndromic surveillance partners' systems report to HHAN by using Public Health Information Network Messaging System events that meet thresholds selected by MDPH. Cluster summaries are automatically posted into a document library. HHAN notifies users by electronic mail, alphanumeric pager, facsimile, or voice communications; users decide how they want to be notified for each level of alert. Discussion threads permit real-time communication among all parties.RESULTS:
This automated alert system became operational in July 2004. During July-December 2004, HHAN facilitated communication and streamlined investigation of 15 alerts.CONCLUSION:
The system allows rapid, efficient alerting and bidirectional communication among public health and private-sector partners and might be applicable to other public health agencies.
Buscar no Google
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Vigilância da População
/
Surtos de Doenças
/
Informática em Saúde Pública
Tipo de estudo:
Screening_studies
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
MMWR Suppl
Ano de publicação:
2005
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos