scholarly journals Data capture and visualization for a canine influenza outbreak — New York City, 2018

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Whittemore ◽  
Rachel Corrado ◽  
Marc Paladini ◽  
Alexander Davidson ◽  
Chaorui C. Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Data Visualization ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Data Capture ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Healthcare Data ◽  
Public Health Emergency Response ◽  
Canine Influenza ◽  
Influenza H3n2

ObjectiveThe objectives of this project were to rapidly build and deploy a web-based reporting platform in response to a canine influenza H3N2 outbreak in New York City (NYC) and provide aggregate data back to the veterinary community as an interactive dashboard.IntroductionData-driven decision-making is a cornerstone of public health emergency response; therefore, a highly-configurable and rapidly deployable data capture system with built-in quality assurance (QA; e.g., completeness, standardization) is critical.1 Additionally, to keep key stakeholders informed of developments during an emergency, data need to be shared in a timely and effective manner. Dynamic data visualization is a particularly useful means of sharing data with healthcare providers and the public.2During Spring 2018, detection of canine influenza H3N2 among dogs in NYC caused concern in the veterinary community. Canine influenza is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by an influenza A virus.3 However, no central database existed in NYC to monitor the outbreak and no single agency was responsible for data capture. Our team at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) partnered with the NYC Veterinary Medical Association (VMA) to monitor the canine influenza H3N2 outbreak by building a web-based reporting platform and interactive dashboard.MethodsThe NYC DOHMH built and deployed a web-based reporting platform to aid veterinarians in reporting cases of canine influenza. We leveraged REDCap Cloud, a cloud-based graphical user interface data capture and management software. REDCap Cloud collected information regarding the provider, owner, dog, residence of dog, illness history, and influenza testing. We leveraged REDCap QA functionality in the form of mandatory questions to ensure data completeness. Several different field types — including dropdown menus, mutually exclusive radio buttons, and multi-select check boxes — were used to ensure data standardization. Skip logic was incorporated to guide users through unique sequences of questions based on the answers they entered. Reporting was voluntary.ResultsAfter requirements were gathered, the REDCap web-based reporting platform was rapidly deployed in approximately two business days. Over the course of one week, multiple versions of the dashboard were produced and the final iteration was completed. The entire system was built on server-side software that is available as free or open-source for individual licenses. The dashboard can be found at the following link: http://www.vmanyc.org/canine_influenza_dashboard.html.A total of 28 cases were reported by 6 providers during June–August 2018. All of the 28 cases were reported from 2 of the 5 NYC counties (boroughs); 17/28 (60.7%) were reported from Brooklyn and 11/28 (39.3%) were reported from Manhattan. We were able to collect mostly complete data by leveraging REDCap QA functionality. The reporting facility was listed in all cases, and an owner was listed in all but two cases. All reported cases used a PCR test for the detection of canine influenza H3N2. One reported case indicated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results as “not detected” which suggests that one negative case was reported through the system.ConclusionsUsing REDCap Cloud and R, we were able to rapidly build and deploy a web-based reporting platform and dynamic data visualization during an emergency response to an outbreak of canine influenza H3N2. Our system was used by veterinarians to report 28 cases of canine influenza. Future emergency responses for human disease outbreaks will likely benefit from the experience our team gained during our partnership with the NYC VMA.References1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Public Health Emergency Response Guide for State, Local, and Tribal Public Health Directors. https://emergency.cdc.gov/planning/pdf/cdcresponseguide.pdf.2. Meyer M. The Rise of Healthcare Data Visualization. http://journal.ahima.org/2017/12/21/the-rise-of-healthcare-data-visualization/.3. American Veterinary Medical Association. Canine Influenza FAQ. https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/FAQs/Pages/Control-of-Canine-Influenza-in-Dogs.aspx.4. Wickham H. R packages. http://r-pkgs.had.co.nz/.

Preparing the Health System to Respond to Ebola Virus Disease in New York City, 2014

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 370-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay K. Varma ◽  
David J. Prezant ◽  
Ross Wilson ◽  
Celia Quinn ◽  
Glenn Asaeda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
York City ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Public Health Emergency Response

AbstractThe world’s largest outbreak of Ebola virus disease began in West Africa in 2014. Although few cases were identified in the United States, the possibility of imported cases led US public health systems and health care facilities to focus on preparing the health care system to quickly and safely identify and respond to emerging infectious diseases. In New York City, early, coordinated planning among city and state agencies and the health care delivery system led to a successful response to a single case diagnosed in a returned health care worker. In this article we describe public health and health care system preparedness efforts in New York City to respond to Ebola and conclude that coordinated public health emergency response relies on joint planning and sustained resources for public health emergency response, epidemiology and laboratory capacity, and health care emergency management. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:370–374).

Integrating Social Media Monitoring Into Public Health Emergency Response Operations

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 775-780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamer A. Hadi ◽  
Keren Fleshler
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
New York ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Critical Incident ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Public Health Emergency Response ◽  
Social Media Monitoring ◽  
Media Monitoring

AbstractSocial media monitoring for public health emergency response and recovery is an essential response capability for any health department. The value of social media for emergency response lies not only in the capacity to rapidly communicate official and critical incident information, but as a rich source of incoming data that can be gathered to inform leadership decision-making. Social media monitoring is a function that can be formally integrated into the Incident Command System of any response agency. The approach to planning and required resources, such as staffing, logistics, and technology, is flexible and adaptable based on the needs of the agency and size and scope of the emergency. The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has successfully used its Social Media Monitoring Team during public health emergency responses and planned events including major Ebola and Legionnaires’ disease responses. The concepts and implementations described can be applied by any agency, large or small, interested in building a social media monitoring capacity. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;page 1 of 6)

Public Health Emergency Response Leadership Training

2021 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Li ◽  
Edbert B. Hsu ◽  
Xiaohong M. Davis ◽  
Gail M. Stennies ◽  
Nhu N. Pham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Leadership Training ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Public Health Emergency Response

scholarly journals Use of Community Assessments for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPERs) to Rapidly Assess Public Health Issues — United States, 2003-2012

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 374-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tesfaye M. Bayleyegn ◽  
Amy H. Schnall ◽  
Shimere G. Ballou ◽  
David F. Zane ◽  
Sherry L. Burrer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Emergency Response ◽  
Disaster Preparedness ◽  
Public Health Emergency ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Public Health Action ◽  
Sampling Methodology ◽  
Health Action ◽  
Public Health Emergency Response

AbstractIntroductionCommunity Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) is an epidemiologic technique designed to provide quick, inexpensive, accurate, and reliable household-based public health information about a community’s emergency response needs. The Health Studies Branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides in-field assistance and technical support to state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) health departments in conducting CASPERs during a disaster response and in non-emergency settings. Data from CASPERs conducted from 2003 through 2012 were reviewed to describe uses of CASPER, ascertain strengths of the CASPER methodology, and highlight significant findings.MethodsThrough an assessment of the CDC’s CASPER metadatabase, all CASPERs that involved CDC support performed in US states and territories from 2003 through 2012 were reviewed and compared descriptively for differences in geographic distribution, sampling methodology, mapping tool, assessment settings, and result and action taken by decision makers.ResultsFor the study period, 53 CASPERs were conducted in 13 states and one US territory. Among the 53 CASPERS, 38 (71.6%) used the traditional 2-stage cluster sampling methodology, 10 (18.8%) used a 3-stage cluster sampling, and two (3.7%) used a simple random sampling methodology. Among the CASPERs, 37 (69.9%) were conducted in response to specific natural or human-induced disasters, including 14 (37.8%) for hurricanes. The remaining 16 (30.1%) CASPERS were conducted in non-disaster settings to assess household preparedness levels or potential effects of a proposed plan or program. The most common recommendations resulting from a disaster-related CASPER were to educate the community on available resources (27; 72.9%) and provide services (18; 48.6%) such as debris removals and refills of medications. In preparedness CASPERs, the most common recommendations were to educate the community in disaster preparedness (5; 31.2%) and to revise or improve preparedness plans (5; 31.2%). Twenty-five (47.1%) CASPERs documented on the report or publications the public health action has taken based on the result or recommendations. Findings from 27 (50.9%) of the CASPERs conducted with CDC assistance were published in peer-reviewed journals or elsewhere.ConclusionThe number of CASPERs conducted with CDC assistance has increased and diversified over the past decade. The CASPERs’ results and recommendations supported the public health decisions that benefitted the community. Overall, the findings suggest that the CASPER is a useful tool for collecting household-level disaster preparedness and response data and generating information to support public health action.BayleyegnTM, SchnallAH, BallouSG, ZaneDF, BurrerSL, NoeRS, WolkinAF. Use of Community Assessments for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPERs) to rapidly assess public health issues — United States, 2003-2012. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2015;30(4):1-8.

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