Potential use of multiple surveillance data in the forecast of hospital admissions

A sudden surge in hospital admissions in public hospital during influenza peak season has been a challenge to healthcare and manpower planning. In Hong Kong, the timing of influenza peak seasons are variable and early short-term indication of possible surge may facilitate preparedness which could be translated into strategies such as early discharge or reallocation of extra hospital beds. In this study we explore the potential use of multiple routinely collected syndromic data in the forecast of hospital admissions.

Objective

This paper describes the potential use of multiple influenza surveillance data to forecast hospital admissions for respiratory diseases.