Tittelpforedraget-EpiNorth.ppt

Outbreak investigation report Agnes Hajdu EpiTrain III, 25.08.2006 Jurmala, Latvia Based on EPIET material Steps of an outbreak investigation Confirm outbreak diagnosis Define a case Identify cases and obtain information Descriptive data collection and analysis Develop hypothesis Analytical studies to test hypothesis Communication – Outbreak report Control measures Outbreak reports First: What are they? Why write them? Who writes them? Who reads them? Then: Structure Frequent problems Confidentiality Legal issues What are outbreak reports? Formal outbreak reports Preliminary, interim, final report Reports to colleagues national bulletin, Eurosurveillance, conference/ seminars (Inter)national outbreak reporting systems Journal publications Why write them? To document the outbreak Present investigation methods, control measures Potential legal issue To verify recommendations To enhance quality of investigations In order to prevent future outbreaks and assist in investigationcontrol of similar incidents Who writes them? ”The outbreak control team” (OCT) Named authors Each participating agency must agree with what is said Who ”owns” the report? Who reads them? All agencies represented on the OCT Policy making bodies Professional colleagues The public The lawyers Structure of the report Summary Introduction and Background Outbreak description Methods Results Discussion Lessons learned Recommendations References Appendices 1. Summary Key Features, setting of the outbreak: Who – What – Where – When? Lessons learned Recommendations Ongoing action Further action required 2. Introduction and Background Population demographics Surveillance data Previous similar outbreaks Description of the are/site/facility e.g. Healthcare system e.g. Industries involved Any unusal point 3. Outbreak description ”The initial story” How was the outbreak reported? Steps taken to confirm it? What was known to date? Why was an investigation undertaken? Management of the ou