Although syndromic surveillance cannot serve its intended purpose without the timely public health response launched after aberration detection, the literature is very limited with respect to response to syndromic surveillance systems alerts and related guidance for public health practitioners. Literature reviews reveal an absence of uniform approaches to developing and evaluating response protocols. The one published study that aimed to inform the development of written protocols was based on experience with a single system, ESSENCE, and concluded that careful development of an evaluation and response framework should be undertaken.
Objective
To develop a framework for public health departments to use for developing and enhancing response protocols to syndromic surveillance system alerts.