The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #33856

Larry Garrett, MPH, Kansas Integrated Public Health System Project, 650 North 670 East, American Fork, UT 84003, 801-492-1936, lgarrett@kiphs.com

Disease surveillance is a core function of public health and satisfies a variety of public health needs including the detection of unusual cases or clusters of disease. However, the timely detection of an intentional release of a biologic agent may be difficult using the systems currently in place.

In response, the Wichita Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) project has developed a community surveillance model. During initial development, it became apparent that a system designed to support only bioterrorism would fail due to the unlikely probability of an event within the community. Therefore, the model became a component of a broader community health surveillance and assessment process and a two tiered approach to surveillance developed.

The first tier, best described as quasi-active surveillance, relies upon data provided by a variety of alternative sources and focuses upon the identification of community health aberrations instead of specific diseases. All data transfer occurs electronically and only captures data that is generated for one or more of the data providers internal business processes. If a community health aberration is noted and the cause cannot be determined, the second tier is activated. This tier, based upon active surveillance system design focuses on the collection of syndromic signs, symptoms, and sentinel events. Local emergency rooms and other medical providers within the community are the primary data suppliers.

The Wichita MMRS Surveillance model will be presented in two segments. The first describes the surveillance model and identified tasks. The second describes the infrastructure necessary to support the model.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session the participant will be able to

• Identify appropriate sources for bioterrorism detection data
• Recognize the importance of utilizing secondary data sources
• Describe the importance of understanding the business process associated with surveillance activities before developing surveillance systems.

Keywords: Epidemiology, Surveillance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment with the Kansas Integrated Public Health System project as an epidemiologist.