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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Akinyi Adija, MD, Suzanne Jenkins, DVM, MPH, and Elizabeth Barrett, DMD, MSPH. Office of Epidemiology, Virginia Department of Health, 1500 East Main Street, P.O.Box 2448, Room 113, Richmond, VA 23218, 804-786-6261, aadija@vdh.state.va.us
Evaluation of Enhanced Active Surveillance in Northern Virginia, October 2001
Background: Surveillance for the early detection of anthrax and other bioterrorism related illnesses are crucial for the implementation of effective control, treatment and prevention measures. In response to the discovery of anthrax contaminated letters in Washington D.C. and subsequent development of inhalational anthrax in two Virginia residents, we initiated a hospital based surveillance system in October 2001. Public health staff were assigned around the clock to the emergency departments, intensive care units and laboratories of ten Northern Virginia hospitals. Using complaint logs, 2,678 persons were identified by symptomatology, risk exposure and/or place of work. For each person, chart, radiographic and laboratory information was reviewed and recorded. Persons were followed until anthrax was confirmed or ruled out.
Methods: Using CDC guidelines, we conducted an evaluation of the system's attributes- simplicity, flexibility, data quality, acceptability, sensitivity, predictive value positive, representativeness, timeliness and stability.
Results: Implementation of the system was timely and accepted by the participants. Highly detailed and complete collection of data added to the stability to the system. It demonstrated flexibility in response to new demands but was labor intensive and complex. Because no anthrax cases were detected in the ten hospitals during surveillance, the sensitivity and positive predictive values were incalculable.
Conclusions: Although anthrax was not detected in our system, the presence of the health department provided support to an overwhelmed public and medical community. While not sustainable for long-term use, the system identified high-risk individuals in a potentially exposed population.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.