The Role of Information Technology The Role of Information Technology In Improving Syndromic Surveillance In Improving Syndromic Surveillance

and Decision Makingand Decision Making

Michael Shannon, M.D., M.P.H.Michael Shannon, M.D., M.P.H.The Center for BiopreparednessThe Center for BiopreparednessChildren’s Hospital/Harvard Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical SchoolMedical SchoolBoston, MABoston, MA

What is Syndromic Surveillance?What is Syndromic Surveillance?

Syndromic surveillance is the term Syndromic surveillance is the term for the active monitoring of a disease for the active monitoring of a disease cluster.cluster.

Information Technology’s Role in Information Technology’s Role in Improving Syndromic SurveillanceImproving Syndromic Surveillance

Information technology offers several valuable features for syndromic surveillance: • Electronic nature

• Ability to conduct real-time surveillance

• Value of its monitoring data that are routinely collected in daily social activities

Key Steps in Developing Bioterrorism-Key Steps in Developing Bioterrorism-Based Automated Decision Support Based Automated Decision Support SystemsSystems Compilation of signs/symptoms of the Compilation of signs/symptoms of the

disease of interestdisease of interest Delphi group evaluation of signs/ Delphi group evaluation of signs/

symptoms, temporal features and symptoms, temporal features and differential diagnosisdifferential diagnosis

Construction of prior probabilities Construction of prior probabilities algorithms (back end)algorithms (back end)

Output = differential diagnosis along Output = differential diagnosis along with probabilitieswith probabilities

Information Systems Created or Information Systems Created or Under Development by the Center Under Development by the Center

for Biopreparedness at CHBfor Biopreparedness at CHB Syndromic SurveillanceSyndromic Surveillance

• EDScopeEDScope• AEGISAEGIS• Boston data linkage projectBoston data linkage project• PECARN data linkage projectPECARN data linkage project• School monitoring projectSchool monitoring project

Automated Decision SupportAutomated Decision Support• The Bioagent Diagnosis ProgramThe Bioagent Diagnosis Program

The Bioagent Diagnosis ProgramThe Bioagent Diagnosis Program

Specific Issues in Pediatric Specific Issues in Pediatric PreparednessPreparedness School preparednessSchool preparedness Surge capacitySurge capacity Training of 1Training of 1stst responders in responders in

management of pediatric disaster management of pediatric disaster victimsvictims

Creation of national pediatric disaster Creation of national pediatric disaster response teamsresponse teams

Creation of assessment/management Creation of assessment/management tools for mental health sequelaetools for mental health sequelae