Characterizing Public Health Actions in Response to Syndromic Surveillance Alerts

Authors

  • Laura Rivera
  • Rachel Savage
  • Natasha Crowcroft
  • Laura Rosella
  • Li Ye
  • Shelly Bolotin
  • Wendy Lou
  • Ian Johnson

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v8i1.6448

Abstract

Fifteen public health units (PHUs) in Ontario, Canada were randomized to the intervention (9) or control (6) arm of a study on their responses to alerts for respiratory syndromes from emergency department data. The intervention PHUs implemented a standard protocol while the control PHUs continued with usual practices. Intervention PHUs were 3 times more likely to check for alternate explanations. Control health units decided that more alerts warranted a response (53%) but most of these were "watchful waiting". For intervention PHUs, the proportion requiring action was lower (18%). Less than 10% of the alerts led to action.

Downloads

Published

2016-03-24

How to Cite

Rivera, L., Savage, R., Crowcroft, N., Rosella, L., Ye, L., Bolotin, S., … Johnson, I. (2016). Characterizing Public Health Actions in Response to Syndromic Surveillance Alerts. Online Journal of Public Health Informatics, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v8i1.6448

Issue

Section

Oral Presentations