Retrospective validation of a surveillance system for unexplained illness and death: New Haven County, Connecticut

被引:5
作者
Kluger, MD
Sofair, AN
Heye, CJ
Meek, JI
Sodhi, RK
Hadler, JL
机构
[1] Yale Univ, Sch Med, Dept Epidemiol & Publ Hlth, Connecticut Emerging Infect Program, New Haven, CT 06510 USA
[2] Yale Univ, Sch Med, Dept Internal Med, New Haven, CT 06510 USA
[3] Urban Policy Strategies, New Haven, CT USA
[4] Dept Publ Hlth, Div Infect Dis, Bur Community Hlth, Hartford, CT USA
关键词
D O I
10.2105/AJPH.91.8.1214
中图分类号
R1 [预防医学、卫生学];
学科分类号
1004 ; 120402 ;
摘要
Objectives. This study investigated retrospective validation of a prospective surveillance system for unexplained illness and death due to possibly infectious causes. Methods. A computerized search of hospital discharge data identified patients with potential unexplained illness and death due to possibly infectious causes. Medical records for such patients were reviewed for satisfaction of study criteria. Cases identified retrospectively were combined with prospectively identified cases to form a reference population against which sensitivity could be measured. Results. Retrospective validation was 41% sensitive, whereas prospective surveillance was 73% sensitive. The annual incidence of unexplained illness and death due to possibly infectious causes during 1995 and 1996 in the study county was conservatively estimated to range from 2.7 to 6.2 per 100 000 residents aged 1 to 49 years. Conclusions. Active prospective surveillance for unexplained illness and death due to possibly infectious causes is more sensitive than retrospective surveillance conducted through a published list of indicator codes, However, retrospective surveillance can be a feasible and much less labor-intensive alternative to active prospective surveillance when the latter is not possible or desired.
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页码:1214 / 1219
页数:6
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