CDC Issues Pandemic Systems Plan - Mixed Bag of Systems
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Mixed Bag of Systems
Because BioSense is used only on a limited basis
around the country, the CDC continues to rely on a mixed bag of different
systems—some completed, some not—to uncover a major pandemic in the making.
Chief among these is the Influenza Sentinel Provider Surveillance System, which
depends on some 2,200 volunteer physicians to collect information from patients
who exhibit flu-like symptoms. The CDC also uses the World Health
Organization’s FluNet system, a database that epidemiologists and other
researchers can query to learn about flu-related activity in other countries.
Laboratory data can provide yet another indicator
of unusual flu activity. “We are looking to recognize cases early on by using
laboratory data and to report that data automatically to public health authorities
and the CDC at the same time,” the CDC’s Dr. Lenert says. The CDC depends on
the Laboratory Response Network, which connects it with state health department
laboratories and other laboratories that have special training to perform
influenza research.
Pandemics are monitored using a system called the
Health Alert Network. “We use this system to communicate to physicians and
health departments about how to report cases, what to look for and other
information about specific cases,” says Dr. Steve Redd, a CDC epidemiologist.
Another system, FluFinder, was begun in 2004 during
a shortage of flu vaccine. The system allows health officials to locate vaccine
supplies.
With all these systems—and others—in the works, the
CDC must consolidate its information systems in order to provide more timely
data to its own staff and to health care professionals in the field.
IT Management 
