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Public Health in the Field and the Emergency Operations Center: Methods for Implementing Real-Time Onsite Syndromic Surveillance at Large Public Events

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 August 2013

Kristen Pogreba-Brown ,
Kyle McKeown ,
Sarah Santana ,
Alisa Diggs ,
Jennifer Stewart  and
Robin B. Harris
Kristen Pogreba-Brown*
Affiliation:
University of Arizona, Tucson
Kyle McKeown
Affiliation:
University of Arizona, Tucson
Sarah Santana
Affiliation:
Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Phoenix, Arizona.
Alisa Diggs
Affiliation:
Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Phoenix, Arizona.
Jennifer Stewart
Affiliation:
Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Phoenix, Arizona.
Robin B. Harris
Affiliation:
University of Arizona, Tucson
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Kristen Pogreba-Brown, PhD, MPH, 1295 N Martin, PO Box 245211, Tucson, AZ 85724 (e-mail kpogreba@email.arizona.edu).
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Abstract

Objective

To develop an onsite syndromic surveillance system for the early detection of public health emergencies and outbreaks at large public events.

Methods

As the third largest public health jurisdiction in the United States, Maricopa County Department of Public Health has worked with academic and first-response partners to create an event-targeted syndromic surveillance (EVENTSS) system. This system complements long-standing traditional emergency department-based surveillance and provides public health agencies with rapid reporting of possible clusters of illness.

Results

At 6 high profile events, 164 patient reports were collected. Gastrointestinal and neurological syndromes were most commonly reported, followed by multisyndromic reports. Neurological symptoms were significantly increased during hot weather events. The interview rate was 2 to 7 interviews per 50 000 people per hour, depending on the ambient temperature.

Discussion

Study data allowed an estimation of baseline values of illness occurring at large public events. As more data are collected, prediction models can be built to determine threshold levels for public health response.

Conclusions

EVENTSS was conducted largely by volunteer public health graduate students, increasing the response capacity for the health department. Onsite epidemiology staff could make informed decisions and take actions quickly in the event of a public health emergency. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2013;0:1–8)

Keywords

syndromic surveillancespecial eventsonsite surveillanceearly detectionpublic health hazards
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 7 , Issue 5 , October 2013 , pp. 467 - 474
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2013 

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