Displaying results 9 - 16 of 17
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Surveillance for nationally notifiable infectious conditions using ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes in the VA ESSENCE biosurveillance system
Content Type: Abstract
The Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics (ESSENCE) obtains electronic data from 153 Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers plus outpatient clinics in all 50 states, American Samoa, Guam,… read more -
Dengue, Chikungunya & Zika Virus in VA Caribbean HCS, Nov. 2015-Aug. 2016
Content Type: Abstract
DENV, CHIKV and ZIKV are all transmitted by mosquitoes and have occurred in outbreaks in the Caribbean. Common symptoms (which can be severe and disabling) are similar among the 3 viruses and include fever, joint pain/swelling, headache, muscle pain… read more -
Diagnosis Coding Anomalies Resulting in Hemorrhagic Illness Alerts in Veterans Health Administration Outpatient Clinics
Content Type: Abstract
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) operates over 880 outpatient clinics across the nation. The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory’s Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-Based Epidemics (ESSENCE) utilizes… read more -
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in the Veterans Health Administration, 2010 - 2016
Content Type: Abstract
It is estimated that in the United States (US), unintentional non-fire related CO poisoning causes an average of 439 deaths annually, and in 2007 confirmed CO poisoning cases resulted in 21,304 ED visits and 2,302 hospitalizations (71 per million… read more -
Influenza Surveillance in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): 2012-2013 Influenza Season
Content Type: Abstract
Influenza is associated with significant morbidity and mortality nationally each year and VA's large elderly population is at particular risk. VA Office of Public Health (OPH) has monitored influenza and influenza-like-illness (ILI) activity using… read more -
Meeting Mandatory Infectious Disease Reporting Requirements: The Department of Veterans Affairsà Plan
Content Type: Abstract
There are currently no federal laws mandating the reporting of infectious diseases to public health authorities. Reporting requirements reside at the state level and such laws do not apply to federal agencies including the VA. Heretofore, VA's… read more -
Improving the Value Proposition of Surveillance Tools: Innovative Uses for VA ESSENCE
Content Type: Abstract
VA began using ESSENCE as a public health surveillance tool in 2005. The system offered alerting capability for pre-defined syndromes and querying capability for outpatient ICD-9 diagnosis codes. Herein, we highlight examples of how we have invested… read more -
Pertussis Surveillance in Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in Western United States – 2010-2014
Content Type: Abstract
Bordetella pertussis infection (whooping cough) has been on the rise and the most cases in the US since 1955 were reported in 2012 (48,277 or 15.4 per 100,000). Pertussis is highly infectious and can cause serious illness in infants and children as… read more