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Communicable disease case entry using PDAs and public wireless networks.
W B Lober1, D Bliss, M R Dockrey
1School of Medicine, University of Washington, USA.
AMIA ... Annual Symposium Proceedings. AMIA Symposium
|January 20, 2004
Summary
Public health field workers can now use a secure, web-based system for routine and emergent case reporting of biowarfare agents. This system integrates portable technology with public health practice for improved detection and response.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Information Systems
- Biosecurity
Background:
- Biowarfare agent detection and response are critical public health concerns.
- Existing systems may lack deployability and secure remote access capabilities.
- The need for integrated, real-time case reporting is paramount.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement a proof-of-concept web-based information system for biowarfare agent case reporting.
- To enable secure data collection and forwarding by public health field workers.
- To demonstrate the integration of portable and web technologies in public health.
Main Methods:
- Development of a web-based information system accessible via personal digital assistants.
- Secure data transmission over public wireless networks.
- Integration with the Colorado Electronic Disease Reporting System (CEDRS).
Main Results:
- Successful proof-of-concept for a deployable, secure case reporting system.
- Demonstrated capability for routine and emergent case data collection.
- Established a pathway for forwarding case reports to state-level systems.
Conclusions:
- Portable and web-based technologies can be effectively integrated into public health practice.
- The developed system enhances capabilities for biowarfare agent surveillance.
- This approach supports improved public health response to biological threats.