Disease Surveillance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires the state to report specific confirmed diseases within a particular timeframe. By leveraging a cutting-edge, Web-based system, the Office of Information Technology and disease program coordinators can comply with time-sensitive reporting requirements. The Kentucky Electronic Public Health Record System (KY-EPHRS) provides the backbone of an integrated electronic health record, including disease surveillance.

The Disease Surveillance is one of several modules that make up KY-EPHRS.  Hospitals and health departments use this system for the initial notification of potential reportable diseases.  The application contains patient demographic data, test results, symptoms and lab results.

The health department’s staff then makes the determination if the disease needs further investigation. Upon the completion of the investigation, infection control investigators determine if the case should be forwarded to state officials for confirmation. If the case is confirmed, KY-EPHRS will electronically transmit the information to the CDC.

• Corrected the weekly reporting file sent to CDC. Completed in Production 4/28/06.
• Eliminated the potential for changing the reported date of each case to improve data integrity. Completed in Production 4/28/06.
• Eliminated the potential to enter an Override MMWR Week and Date to improve data integrity. Completed in Production 4/28/06.
• Recalculated all historical cases using the reported date as the event date to improve data integrity in comparing with legacy data. Completed in Production 4/28/06.
• Corrected the Race and Ethnicity data on the Investigation EPID Report screen. Completed in Production 5/9/06.
• Eliminated the potential of the phone number not carrying over from Notification to Investigation. Completed in Production 5/9/06.
• Corrected the spelling of Bronchial in the Tests specimen source dropdown. Completed in Production 5/9/06.
• Corrected the case status header information to update with accurate status. Completed in Production 5/9/06.
• Aligned Pertussis vaccination data in correct location in the CDC file. Completed in Production 5/9/06.
• Corrected State New Investigation Queue for when cases are moved to the state. Completed in Production 5/31/06.
• Corrected the Race information when viewing the EPID 200 in Investigation.  Completed in Production 7/6/06. 
• Corrected the Hepatitis Viral report that was displaying incorrect data.  Completed in Production 7/6/2006.
• Automated the login process when a password change is required.  Users will no longer be required to select Continue Login after successfully changing their password as they will be automatically redirected.  Completed in Production 7/6/2006. 
• Enhanced the process for adding Signs and Symptoms data for a case.  Users now have the ability to add seven Signs and Symptoms simultaneously.  Completed in Production 8/8/2006.
• Enhanced the process for adding Tests data for a case.  Users now have the ability to add two Tests simultaneously.  Completed in Production 8/22/2006
• Corrected the number of digits allowed for Rabies PEP HBIG field.  Completed in Production 8/22/2006.
• Automated the process for reviewing unread alerts.  Any unread alerts will now open upon login.  Completed in Production 8/22/2006. 
• Created the process for user's to automatically receive email reminders for any Alerts that remain unread for 7 days.  Completed in Production 9/15/2006. 
• Automated the CDC file to convert all ecoli codes to the one single code as defined by CDC changes and to rectify the verification records.  Completed in Production 10/3/2006. 
• Posted the training module within the system for easier access.  Completed in Production 10/3/2006.
• Resolved issue with specific Districts not being able to utilize the Assigned Consultant functionality in Notifications.  Completed in Production 10/4/2006. 
• Added text next to the Notification Insert button to remind users to only click once to submit to avoid duplicates.  Completed in Production 12/01/2007.
• Added District Health Departments to the drop down choices for reporting source.  Completed in Production 12/01/2007.
• Corrected Pennyrile Regional rights to include Todd county. 
• Updated all Reportable Disease Desk Reference documents.  Completed in Production 12/01/2007.
• Created one E-coli disease type for reporting.  Modified all historical E-coli data.  Completed in Production 12/01/2007.
• Automated the input of 'Reported By' data based on the user's login credentials.  Completed in Production 01/02/2007.

Future Modifications to DSM

• The DSM team has completed the initial integration between DSM and the Health Alert Network (HAN) that will be implemented when response procedures are finalized. 
• The DSM team is beginning work to standardize the reporting of lab test data.
• The ability to produce adhoc reports outside of the system will be available in January 2007 when infrastructure issues are resolved.  Thank you for your patience.