Download Chapter 4: Nursing Resources for Epidemiology

Chapter 4: Nursing Resources for
Epidemiology
Introduction
• Data collection and analysis is a core area of
epidemiology.
• Epidemiologists gather data from physicians,
laboratories, clinics, public health
organizations, automated surveillance
systems.
• Public health organizations conduct
community epidemiological research studies.
Public Health Informatics (1 of 3)
• Application of information and computer
science to public health practice, research,
and learning.
• Demanding because of constantly emerging
public health emergency situations.
• Surveillance reporting systems alert
professionals in shortest possible time.
Public Health Informatics (2 of 3)
• Rapid dissemination of data is possible.
• Greatly contributes to globalization of public
health.
• Conversion to electronic medical records in
hospitals is an example.
• Surveillance examples
– Medical Electronic Disease Surveillance
Information System
Public Health Informatics (3 of 3)
• Surveillance examples (cont’d)
– Electronic Laboratory Reporting
– Early Warning Infectious Disease Surveillance
– CDC’s BioSense System
• Challenges include:
– Maintenance of data quality
– Access to monitoring systems
– Internet dependency, ethics, security
Major Databanks in the United
States—Agencies That Maintain Them
(1 of 2)
• Administration on Aging
• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
• Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• Food and Drug Administration
Major Databanks in the United
States—Agencies That Maintain Them
(2 of 2)
•
•
•
•
•
Health Resources and Services Administration
Indian Health Services
National Institutes of Health
Office of Public Health and Science
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration
National Surveys and Data Collection
Systems in the United States
• National Health Care Surveys
• National Health Interview Survey
• National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey
• National Immunization Survey
• National Survey of Family Growth
• National Vital Statistics System
The Internet: Mantra of the Modern
Age (1 of 4)
• The Internet is a complex global networking
system .
• Running on the Internet, the World Wide Web
functions like a databank that holds
information and links documents.
• Web browsers are used to retrieve and
exchange information through the Web.
The Internet: Mantra of the Modern
Age (2 of 4)
• Search engines such as Google aid in retrieval
of documents.
• The Internet allows timely exchange of
information.
– Almost instantaneous with e-mails
• Health education programs can be created
online.
The Internet: Mantra of the Modern
Age (3 of 4)
• Complete information on diseases, treatments,
and research is available on websites.
• In cases of public health emergencies:
– Action and alternate plans can be accessed through
continuously updated information websites.
– Surveys can be deployed, health data collected or
monitored.
– Public health decisions can be made.
– Partnerships can be developed with multiple
organizations to share data online.
The Internet: Mantra of the Modern
Age (4 of 4)
• Risks of Internet use
– Increases in risky behavior
– Emotional disorders related to frequency of use
– Questionable reliability or completeness of
information
– Challenges of adapting to changing technology
– Expenses related to computer/Internet use
Websites for Epidemiological Research
• The text lists websites divided into these
categories:
– International public health organizations
– U.S. public health organizations
– Research databases
– Public health journals
– Search engines
Nationally Notifiable Infectious
Diseases (United States)
• Compiled and updated regularly by the CDC
and state and public health departments.
• The text gives the list from 2010.
International Data Banks and
Resources—Agencies That Maintain
Them
• European Centre for Disease Prevention and
Control
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• Health Protection Agency, United Kingdom
• Institut de Veille Sanitaire, France
• Public Health Foundation of India
• Centre for Health Protection, Hong Kong