Using secure web services to visualize poison center data for nationwide biosurveillance: a case study.

Area of Science:

• Public Health Surveillance
• Health Informatics
• Web Services Architecture

Background:

• Real-time public health surveillance is crucial for emergency response.
• Centralized systems struggle to integrate new data sources and analytical capabilities.
• The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explored a federated model for improved data management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a federated data model for public health surveillance.
• To integrate disparate data sources using secure web services.
• To develop a visualization tool for real-time data analysis.

Main Methods:

• A case study involving the American Association of Poison Control Centers and the CDC.
• Extension of an existing data warehouse via a secure web service.
• Development of the Quicksilver web browser-based visualization interface.

Main Results:

• The National Poison Data System (NPDS) web service was developed in two iterations within 12 weeks.
• The Quicksilver visualization client was completed in four months.
• Successful integration of aggregate clinical effects and case counts data.

Conclusions:

• The implemented federated model shows progress in transitioning national data sources.
• Secure web services and a lightweight client can integrate isolated data for biosurveillance.
• Quicksilver effectively demonstrates a viable solution for enhanced public health data exchange.