CVD is one of the leading causes of death in the US, with 800,000 deaths being linked to CVD every year. Recently, the CDC reported that 1 in 4 of these deaths could be prevented by lifestyle changes, creating healthier living spaces, as well as managing high cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes levels [1]. The report also stressed the importance of electronic health records (EHR) in identifying patients with CVD risk factors [1]. Surveillance is a critical component of national effort to prevent CVD [2]. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) has traditionally tracked the burden of chronic diseases by retrospective analysis of hospital discharge data (HDD). However, HDD is limited by its lack of immediate availability and its limited amount of data. Timeliness of detection and analysis of CVD events could be improved with syndromic surveillance. To enhance CVD surveillance in Nebraska, NDHHS implemented a near-real_time IP surveillance system in 2011. This surveillance system facilitates near-real_time assessment of CVD risk factors, outcomes, and prevention program efficacy.
Objective
The main objective of this project is to expand inpatient syndromic surveillance in Nebraska to include indicators of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD).