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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Elizabeth R. Gagnon, MPH, Christine Adamski, MSN, and Elizabeth A. Talbot, MD. New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Communicable Disease Surveillance Section, 29 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301, 603-271-4927, ergagnon@dhhs.state.nh.us

Surveillance is critical to disease prevention and control. Systematic review and evaluation of surveillance systems ensures effective performance and efficient resource use. Using the CDC 2001 Surveillance Evaluation Guidelines, the NH DHHS assessed three of ten indicators for twelve reportable diseases, selected according to incidence and public health importance. All 2002-2003 case records were retrospectively reviewed to assess data quality, predictive value positive, and timeliness of the system. 1,996 records (100%) for the selected conditions were reviewed, representing 32% of all cases of reportable diseases for 2002-2003. Quality and completeness of data were 99-100% for all variables except race and ethnicity (90%). Predictive value positive was greater than 99% for most diseases but low for diseases with more complicated diagnoses such as hepatitis A (39%), Lyme disease (50%), and bacterial meningitis (65%). The median time from diagnosis to report for meningitis, pertussis, and E. coli O157:H7 met the state requirement (same day, one day, and 2 days respectively). However, reporting for the other nine diseases did not meet state requirements. Timeliness of reporting was identified as the system attribute most amenable to improvement. NH DHHS will increase timeliness of reporting through outreach activities with clinical and laboratory reporters. Examples of outreach include, 1) distribution of pocket sized reportable disease lists highlighting reporting timeframe requirements, and 2) reporter site visits to promote surveillance activities and discuss barriers to timely reporting. More timely reporting will ensure efficient use of limited resources and improve public health outcomes.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe the methodology used to evaluate disease surveillance systems.
• Identify areas for improvement based on the results of a surveillance system evaluation.
• Discuss opportunities and activities to increase timeliness and efficiency of disease surveillance systems.

Keywords: Surveillance, Evaluation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Handout (.pdf format, 133.8 kb)