Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 14, 2026

System for Efficacy and Cytotoxicity Screening of Inhibitors Targeting Intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Published on: April 5, 2017
Increasing the efficiency and yield of a tuberculosis contact investigation through electronic data systems matching
Jennifer M Sanderson1, Douglas C Proops2, Lisa Trieu2
1CDC/CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellowship Program, Atlanta, GA, USA CDC/CSTE Applied Epidemiology Fellowship Program, Atlanta, GA, USA jsanderson@health.nyc.gov.
Background:
Electronic health data may improve the timeliness and accuracy of resource-intense contact investigations (CIs) in healthcare settings.
Methods:
In September 2013, we initiated a CI around a healthcare worker (HCW) with infectious tuberculosis (TB) who worked in a maternity ward. Two sources of electronic health data were employed: hospital-based electronic medical records (EMRs), to identify patients exposed to the HCW, and an electronic immunization registry, to obtain contact information for exposed infants and their providers at two points during follow-up.
Results:
Among 954 patients cared for in the maternity ward during the HCW's infectious period, the review of EMRs identified 285 patients (30%) who interacted with the HCW and were, thus, exposed to TB. Matching infants to the immunization registry offered new provider information for 52% and 30% of the infants in the first and second matches. Providers reported evaluation results for the majority of patients (66%).
Conclusion:
Data matching improved the efficiency and yield of this CI, thereby demonstrating the usefulness of enhancing CIs with electronic health data.
More Related Videos
06:26Author Spotlight: Optimizing CFU Determination for Efficient Assessment of TB Vaccine Efficacy and Antigen Presentation Analysis
Published on: July 28, 2023
09:34An Automated Culture System for Use in Preclinical Testing of Host-Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis
Published on: August 16, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Automated Microbial Diagnostics
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
Investigation of Disease Outbreaks
Health Information Technology and Healthcare Information System
Health Information Technology, commonly called HIT, integrates advanced information systems and technology in healthcare settings. Its primary functions include:
Principles of Disease Surveillance