March 19, 2003
ILLNESS OUTBREAK DETECTION SYSTEM IS NATIONAL MODEL
DPH computer tracks unusual patterns in real time
Governor Mitt Romney today highlighted a nationally-recognized computer tracking system designed to provide early detection of illness in this time of heightened vigilance.
Romney said the Syndromic Surveillance System was designed for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and will be used by the federal government as part of a national early detection surveillance system. The system will help public health officials in tracking other outbreaks of illness in Eastern Massachusetts, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), that has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to issue worldwide alerts and advisories.
“Under Operation Liberty Shield, we continue to implement increased protective measures,” said Romney. “As this process unfolds, I want to reassure the people of Massachusetts that their protection and the safety of their families is our highest priority.”
The system will analyze trends or spikes in illness within 24 hours of complaints, symptoms or diagnoses being entered into a patient's medical record by hundreds of Harvard Vanguard doctors who care for more than 100,000 patients in Massachusetts. On a daily basis, the DPH can monitor this information by geography and time, enabling the Department to identify where and when unusual patterns or clusters of illness are occurring to provide maximum protection of confidential patient information.
“There is no better early warning and detection system available,” said Public Health Commissioner Christine Ferguson. “This health information is in real time, available to us shortly after a person visits their doctor's office or calls their clinician for advice.”
The system is the basis of a national demonstration project under development for the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The Massachusetts project became operational in October 2001. Since that time, it has become an important component for Massachusetts tracking of influenza-like illness. The federal government funded the development of this specialized computer system as part of the CDC bioterrorism preparedness and response funding to states.
“What better way to illustrate the ability of the private health care delivery system, health plans and medical group practices to make contributions to improved public health,” said Dr. Richard Platt, Professor of Ambulatory Care and Prevention at Harvard Medical School and Harvard Public Health Care.
The computerized Syndromic Surveillance System is one of several bioterrorism preparedness initiatives underway at the Department of Public Health. Last week, DPH announced it had joined the EPA and DEP to initiate Biowatch in the Greater Boston Metropolitan area, an environmental air-monitoring program to detect anthrax, smallpox and other harmful biological agents.
“I am grateful to all our dedicated team of public health specialists as we strive to ensure the continued well-being of Massachusetts residents through these troubled times,” said Romney.
DPH is also working in cooperation with the Massachusetts Hospital Association on surge planning, the ability for each of seven designated regions in the state to care for an additional 500 acutely ill patients in the event of a chemical or bioterrorism event and the establishment of decontamination units at hospitals and other community locations throughout the Commonwealth. DPH is also continuing with small pox vaccination plans with a goal of having 10,000 health care workers in Massachusetts vaccinated by June.
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