Journal of public health management and practice : JPHMP
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J Public Health Manag Pract · Jul 2013
Evaluation of a pilot respiratory virus surveillance system linking electronic health record and diagnostic data.
During the onset of 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) (pH1N1), the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene implemented a pilot respiratory virus surveillance system. ⋯ Despite low RIDT sensitivity for pH1N1 and limited timeliness, integration of EHR and diagnostic data has potential to provide valuable epidemiologic information, guide public health response, and represents a new model for community surveillance for influenza and respiratory viruses.
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J Public Health Manag Pract · Jul 2013
A hybrid strategy for surveillance of individuals potentially exposed to contaminated methylprednisolone acetate--Virginia, 2012.
In September 2012, a multistate outbreak of fungal infections associated with the use of contaminated steroid products resulted in 675 exposed persons in Virginia and 53 cases of fungal infections, including 2 deaths. This article describes the design and implementation of a "hybrid" active public health surveillance system and related communication activities in partnership with key clinical stakeholders in Virginia. ⋯ While clinicians focused on diagnosis, treatment, and routine follow-up of patients who presented with symptoms consistent with the outbreak case definition, public health took on the responsibility of weekly surveillance phone calls to all exposed persons who did not enter clinical care. Communication between clinical partners and public health was essential and included the somewhat atypical role of public health actively performing assessment and referral to care functions during an outbreak.