scholarly journals Improving the Quality of Data Exchange Formats in the U.S. National Tuberculosis Surveillance System

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilfred Bonney ◽  
Sandy F Price ◽  
Roque Miramontes
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Snomed Ct ◽  
Quality Of Data ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
National Tuberculosis

Objective: The objective of this presentation is to use a congruence of standardization protocols to effectively ensure that the quality of the data elements and exchange formats within the NTSS are optimal for users of the system.Introduction: Disease surveillance systems remain the best quality systems to rely on when standardized surveillance systems provide the best data to understand disease occurrence and trends. The United States National Tuberculosis Surveillance System (NTSS) contains reported tuberculosis (TB) cases provided by all 50 states, the District of Columbia (DC), New York City, Puerto Rico, and other U.S.-affiliated jurisdictions in the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea [1]. However, the NTSS currently captures phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) data and does not have the ability to collect the rapid molecular DST data generated by platforms such as Cepheid GeneXpert MTB/RIF, Hain MTBDRplus and MTBDRsl, Pyrosequencing, and Whole Genome Sequencing [2-6]. Moreover, the information exchanges within the NTSS (represented in HL7 v2.5.1 [7]) are missing critical segments for appropriately representing laboratory test results and data on microbiological specimens.Methods: The application of the standardization protocols involves: (a) the revision of the current Report of Verified Case of Tuberculosis (RCVT) form to include the collection of molecular DST data; (b) the enhancement of the TB Case Notification Message Mapping Guide (MMG) v2.03 [8] to include segments for appropriately reporting laboratory test results (i.e., using Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) as a recommended vocabulary) and microbiology related test results (i.e., using Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine -- Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT) as a recommended vocabulary); and (c) the standardization of the laboratory testing results generated by the variety of molecular DST platforms, reported to TB health departments through electronic laboratory results (ELR), using those same standardized LOINC and SNOMED CT vocabularies in HL7 v2.5.1 [7].Results: The application of the standardization protocols would optimize early detection and reporting of rifampin-resistant TB cases; provide a high-quality data-driven decision-making process by public health administrators on TB cases; and generate high-quality datasets to enhance reporting or analyses of TB surveillance data and drug resistance.Conclusions: This study demonstrates that it is possible to apply standardized protocols to improve the quality of data, specifications and exchange formats within the NTSS, thereby streamlining the seamless exchange of TB incident cases in an integrated public health environment supporting TB surveillance, informatics, and translational research.

scholarly journals Coding of Electronic Laboratory Reports for Biosurveillance, Selected United States Hospitals, 2011

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjaya Dhakal ◽  
Sherry L. Burrer ◽  
Carla A. Winston ◽  
Achintya Dey ◽  
Umed Ajani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Laboratory Test ◽  
No Value ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Snomed Ct ◽  
Syndromic Surveillance System ◽  
Coding Systems ◽  
Surveillance And Response ◽  
Laboratory Test Results

ObjectiveElectronic laboratory reporting has been promoted as a public health priority. The Office of the U.S. National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has endorsed two coding systems: Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) for laboratory test orders and Systemized Nomenclature of Medicine-Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT) for test results.  Materials and MethodsWe examined LOINC and SNOMED CT code use in electronic laboratory data reported in 2011 by 63 non-federal hospitals to BioSense electronic syndromic surveillance system.  We analyzed the frequencies, characteristics, and code concepts of test orders and results.ResultsA total of 14,028,774 laboratory test orders or results were reported. No test orders used SNOMED CT codes. To describe test orders, 77% used a LOINC code, 17% had no value, and 6% had a non-informative value, “OTH”. Thirty-three percent (33%) of test results had missing or non-informative codes. For test results with at least one informative value, 91.8% had only LOINC codes, 0.7% had only SNOMED codes, and 7.4% had both. Of 108 SNOMED CT codes reported without LOINC codes, 45% could be matched to at least one LOINC code.ConclusionMissing or non-informative codes comprised almost a quarter of laboratory test orders and a third of test results reported to BioSense by non-federal hospitals. Use of LOINC codes for laboratory test results was more common than use of SNOMED CT. Complete and standardized coding could improve the usefulness of laboratory data for public health surveillance and response.

Composite C-C Columns by Utilizing of UHPFRC

2016 ◽  
Vol 691 ◽  
pp. 108-118
Author(s):  
Igor Hudoba
Keyword(s):  
Concrete Columns ◽  
Test Results ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Load Bearing ◽  
Composite Columns ◽  
Steel Core ◽  
New Information ◽  
Laboratory Test Results ◽  
Ordinary Type

Main advantage of composite concrete columns, in comparison with traditional reinforced concrete columns, is its increased load-bearing capacity by using of solid steel reinforcing core. Ordinary type of such a steel-concrete (S-C) composite column consists of normal concrete and different type of solid steel core. In last decades high quality concrete is more and more used for load-bearing structural members exposed compression like columns. Present knowledge level in the area of ultra-high quality of concrete open a new chance for utilization of this progressive structural material in concrete building industry. This paper presents some new information and laboratory test results of concrete-concrete (C-C) composite columns by utilizing of UHPFRC.

scholarly journals Improvement of a national public health surveillance system through use of a quality circle

2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 7-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Krause ◽  
J Benzler ◽  
G Reiprich ◽  
R Görgen
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Public Health Surveillance ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Quality Circle ◽  
National Public Health ◽  
Public Health Surveillance System

Surveillance systems for infectious diseases build the basis for effective public health measures in the prevention and control of infectious diseases. Assessing and improving the quality of such national surveillance systems is a challenge, as many different administrations and professions contribute to a complex system in which sensitive information must be exchanged in a reliable and timely fashion. We conducted a multidisciplinary quality circle on the national public health surveillance system in Germany which included clinicians, laboratory physicians, and staff from local and state health departments as well as from the Robert Koch-Institut. The recommendations resulting from the quality circle included proposals to change the federal law for the control of infectious diseases as well as practical activities such as the change of notification forms and the mailing of faxed information letters to clinicians. A number of recommendations have since been implemented, and some have resulted in measurable improvements. This demonstrates that the applied method of quality circle is a useful tool to improve the quality of national public health surveillance systems.

scholarly journals In the pursuit of equity: COVID-19, data and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-45
Author(s):  
Kalinda Griffiths ◽  
Ian Ring ◽  
Richard Madden ◽  
Lisa Jackson Pulver
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Quality Of Data ◽  
Success Story ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Pandemic Planning ◽  
The Future ◽  
Torres Strait

Since March 2020 in Australia, there has been decisive national, and state and territory policy as well as community led action involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as information about COVID-19 arose. This has resulted in, what could only be framed as a success story in self-determination. However, there continues to be issues with the quality of data used for the surveillance and reporting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people during the pandemic. This article discusses some of the important events in pandemic planning regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and how this relates to surveillance and monitoring in the emerging and ongoing threat of COVID-19 within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The authors also identify some of the data considerations required in the future to monitor and address public health.

scholarly journals Improving Accuracy in Studying the Interactions of Seismic Waves with Bottom Sediments

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 229
Author(s):  
Georgy Mitrofanov ◽  
Nikita Goreyavchev ◽  
Roman Kushnarev
Keyword(s):  
Bottom Sediments ◽  
Seismic Waves ◽  
Wide Frequency Range ◽  
Quality Of Data ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Relative Characteristic ◽  
Seabed Evolution ◽  
Marine Seismic ◽  
Very High

The emerging tasks of determining the features of bottom sediments, including the evolution of the seabed, require a significant improvement in the quality of data and methods for their processing. Marine seismic data has traditionally been perceived to be of high quality compared to land data. However, high quality is always a relative characteristic and is determined by the problem being solved. In a detailed study of complex processes, the interaction of waves with bottom sediments, as well as the processes of seabed evolution over short time intervals (not millions of years), we need very high accuracy of observations. If we also need significant volumes of research covering large areas, then a significant revision of questions about the quality of observations and methods of processing is required to improve the quality of data. The article provides an example of data obtained during high-precision marine surveys and containing a wide frequency range from hundreds of hertz to kilohertz. It is shown that these data, visually having a very high quality, have variations in wavelets at all analyzed frequencies. The corresponding variations reach tens of percent. The use of the method of factor decomposition in the spectral domain made it possible to significantly improve the quality of the data, reducing the variability of wavelets by several times.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Measles Surveillance Systems in Ginnir District, Bale Zone, Southeast Ethiopia: A Concurrent Embedded Mixed Quantitative/Qualitative Study 

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Falaho Sani ◽  
Mohammed Hasen ◽  
Mohammed Seid ◽  
Nuriya Umer
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Public Health Surveillance ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Surveillance Data ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Southeast Ethiopia ◽  
Bale Zone

Abstract Background: Public health surveillance systems should be evaluated periodically to ensure that the problems of public health importance are being monitored efficiently and effectively. Despite the widespread measles outbreak in Ginnir district of Bale zone in 2019, evaluation of measles surveillance system has not been conducted. Therefore, we evaluated the performance of measles surveillance system and its key attributes in Ginnir district, Southeast Ethiopia.Methods: We conducted a concurrent embedded mixed quantitative/qualitative study in August 2019 among 15 health facilities/study units in Ginnir district. Health facilities are selected using lottery method. The qualitative study involved purposively selected 15 key informants. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire adapted from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for evaluating public health surveillance systems through face-to-face interview and record review. The quantitative findings were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2016 and summarized by frequency and proportion. The qualitative findings were narrated and summarized based on thematic areas to supplement the quantitative findings.Results: The structure of surveillance data flow was from the community to the respective upper level. Emergency preparedness and response plan was available only at the district level. Completeness of weekly report was 95%, while timeliness was 87%. No regular analysis and interpretations of surveillance data, and the supportive supervision and feedback system was weak. The participation and willingness of surveillance stakeholders in implementation of the system was good. The surveillance system was found to be useful, easy to implement, representative and can accommodate and adapt to changing conditions. Report documentation and quality of data was poor at lower level health facilities. Stability of the system has been challenged by shortage of budget and logistics, staff turnover and lack of update trainings.Conclusions: The surveillance system was acceptable, useful, simple, flexible and representative. Data quality, timeliness and stability of the system were attributes that require improvement. The overall performance of measles surveillance system in the district was poor. Hence, regular analysis of data, preparation and dissemination of epidemiological bulletin, capacity building and regular supervision and feedback are recommended to enhance performance of the system.

An Intelligent Traffic Engineering Method over Software Defined Networks for Video Surveillance Systems Based on Artificial Bee Colony

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 45-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Mohammadi ◽  
Reza Javidan
Keyword(s):  
Video Surveillance ◽  
Traffic Engineering ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Artificial Bee Colony ◽  
Heuristic Algorithms ◽  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Video Data ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Bee Colony

In applications such as video surveillance systems, cameras transmit video data streams through network in which quality of received video should be assured. Traditional IP based networks cannot guarantee the required Quality of Service (QoS) for such applications. Nowadays, Software Defined Network (SDN) is a popular technology, which assists network management using computer programs. In this paper, a new SDN-based video surveillance system infrastructure is proposed to apply desire traffic engineering for practical video surveillance applications. To keep the quality of received videos adaptively, usually Constraint Shortest Path (CSP) problem is used which is a NP-complete problem. Hence, heuristic algorithms are suitable candidate for solving such problem. This paper models streaming video data on a surveillance system as a CSP problem, and proposes an artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm to find optimal solution to manage the network adaptively and guarantee the required QoS. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed method in terms of QoS metrics.

scholarly journals Case ascertainment in active paediatric surveillance systems: a report from the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit Ascertainment Group

2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-68
Author(s):  
Richard M Lynn ◽  
Richard Reading
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Active Surveillance ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Case Finding ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Public Health Importance ◽  
Surveillance Studies ◽  
Study Team ◽  
Surveillance Unit

The British Paediatric Surveillance Unit (BPSU) conducts surveillance of rare paediatric conditions using active, or prospective, case finding. The reliability of estimates of incidence, which is the primary outcome of public health importance, depends on ascertainment being as near complete as possible. This paper reviews evidence of the completeness of ascertainment in recent surveillance studies run through the BPSU. Ascertainment varied between 49% and 94% depending on the study. These are upper estimates. This was the basis of a discussion on barriers and facilitators of ascertainment which we have separated into factors related to the condition, factors related to the study methods, factors related to the study team and factors related to the surveillance system infrastructure. This leads to a series of recommendations to ensure continuing high levels of ascertainment in active surveillance studies.

scholarly journals Real-time Laboratory-Based Influenza Surveillance with Xpert Flu

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Dugas ◽  
Howard Burkom ◽  
Richard Rothman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Surveillance System ◽  
Influenza Surveillance ◽  
Nasopharyngeal Swab ◽  
National Surveillance ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Site Type ◽  
Rapid Pcr ◽  
Surveillance And Response

In order to provide real-time access to influenza test results, we created a laboratory-based surveillance system which automatically uploaded influenza test results from a rapid PCR-based influenza test, Xpert Flu, and the associated testing times and locations. On-site, type-specific results were available to physicians and uploaded for public health awareness within 100 minutes of patient nasopharyngeal swab. Expansion of this real-time capability to sentinel facilities could improve both local and national surveillance and response, reducing the need for syndromic influenza surveillance.

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