Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111497

Patricia Araki, MPH¹, Maria Bovee, MPH², Rita Velikina, MPH¹, Moon Kim, MD , MPH¹, Raymond Aller, MD, MPH¹, and Laurene Mascola, MD, MPH¹. (1) Acute Communicable Disease Control Program, Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Unit, Los Angeles Department of Health Services, 313 N. Figueroa St, Ste 222, Los Angeles, CA 90012, 213-989-7208, paraki@ladhs.org, (2) Division of Communicable Disease Control, Infectious Disease Branch, California Department of Health Services, 19300 S. Hamilton Ave., Ste. 140, Gardena, CA 90248

Background: The ReddiNet^® BioSurveillance System (RBS) was developed by the Los Angeles County (LAC) Public Health (PH) Department to conduct emergency department (ED) volume-based surveillance for the early detection of a bioterrorist event or naturally occurring disease outbreak. The system utilizes ReddiNet^®, a pre-existing information network that links hospitals with Emergency Medical Services (EMS), for purposes of ambulance diversion via terminals located within participating EDs. Since September 1, 2004, PH has been receiving data from terminals located within RBS participating EDs.

Methods: RBS-trained users enter four values for the previous day at ReddiNet^® terminals; number of ED a) visits, b) hospital admissions, c) ICU admissions, and d) deaths. When necessary, PH may post additional surveillance questions to increase surveillance of a particular disease, or to communicate with individual hospitals. Daily data files are transmitted electronically via secure FTP (File Transfer Protocol) from 35 participating EDs. Data are analyzed daily using the CDC EARS algorithm.

Results: Although several significant increases have been detected since initiating this project, no unexplained increases have occurred to date. Further analysis is necessary to determine usefulness and reliability of this data source as an indicator of a bioterrorist event or disease outbreak, validity of information, accuracy and timeliness of reporting, and sustainability of hospital participation.

Conclusion: Recruitment of all 911-receiving EDs is anticipated by the end of the year. Despite being in existence for only 5 months, the RBS already serves to complement existing surveillance systems and increase communications between PH and LAC EDs.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the development of a volume-based emergency department surveillance system.
• Assess the benefits, capacity, and importance of communication between individual EDs and PH through the use of the ReddiNet^® BioSurveillance System.
• Discuss the preliminary results of analysis and future goals for the project.

Keywords: Emergency Department/Room, Surveillance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.